New City Fire Station Progress
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Development progress at Saratoga Springs Fire Station #3 this week. The station, located at 16 Henning Road, will serve the city’s eastern plateau.
S.O.S Launching New Code Blue Shelter
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The former Grand Union Motel on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs will house the 2023-24 Code Blue Winter Shelter beginning in the fall of 2023, Shelters of Saratoga announced this week.
S.O.S. will operate the shelter in partnership with Saratoga County. The shelter will offer semi-private rooms to individuals facing homelessness when the temperature drops below 32 degrees.
“In past seasons, the shelter was an open space lined with cots,” S.O.S. Executive Director Duane Vaughn said in a statement. “The new location will offer guests additional privacy, critical for restful sleep. Sleep is key to a healthy life, and we are working diligently to make accommodations as comfortable as possible. We are pleased to offer nightly shelter in this modified model this coming winter.”
In 2022-23, 271 unduplicated adults used the 61 available shelter cots at Code Blue on Adelphi Street, which was full most nights.
The new location will shelter up to 80 adults and is in addition to the recently opened 35-bed 24/7 all-weather facility operated by RISE, a short walk away. RISE Housing and Support Services opened a year-round low barrier shelter earlier this month at the site of last season’s Code Blue shelter on Adelphi Street.
“We look forward to the collective impact our programs will have on reducing area homelessness,” Vaughn said. “Reducing area homelessness is a collaborative effort among many Saratoga County human services agencies. We are better together.”
Steve Ethier, owner of the Grand Union Motel said that while future development plans for the property are underway, the motel can provide safety to those facing homelessness during the cold winter months.
The Code Blue program is funded by the New York State Office of Temporary Disability in partnership with the County of Saratoga Department of Social Services.
To learn more about the Code Blue program and Shelters of Saratoga, visit www.sheltersofsaratoga.org
Police: “The Calls for Service Were Numerous” during Dead & Co. Weekend at Saratoga
Photo: New York State Park Police.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — More than 80,000 people descended upon Saratoga Spa State Park last weekend highlighted by a June 16 concert by TLC and Shaggy, and pair of concerts – on June 17 and June 18 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center by Dead & Co.
The New York State Park Police issued a statement June 20 detailing the busy weekend from the perspective of local and state law enforcement agencies: “The calls for service were numerous: lost children/patrons, stolen/lost property, vandalism, intox/impaired persons, injured persons, drug arrests, motor vehicle accidents, heavy traffic… to name a few.”
Authorities also described some of the items they seized during the weekend. They included: 1 vehicle , ballistic body armor, cell phones, walkie-talkies, scales, narcotics packaging materials, hypodermic needles, approximately $32,000+, stun guns, knives, 63 tanks of nitrous oxide, methamphetamine & crystal meth, psilocybin mushrooms , cannabis , cocaine, MDMA, LSD, PCP, Ketamine, as well as numerous prescription pills.
A 24-year-old Ballston man accused of damaging 18 parked vehicles by standing and jumping on them during the Dead & Co. concert June 18 was charged by the county Sheriff’s Office with multiple counts of criminal mischief.
One of the arrests resulted in one of the largest drug seizures in the agency’s history, according to state Park Police. The Saratoga Springs Police Department K-9 unit assisted with the execution of a search warrant related to that arrest.
Saratoga County Board of Supervisors: Monthly Meeting June 20
BALLSTON SPA — At its monthly meeting held on June 20, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the following resolutions:
• Authorizing the use of opioid settlement funds by the Saratoga County Department of Health (DOH) to support prevention programs, prevent misuse of opioids, and prevent overdose deaths and other harms.
In 2017, the Board authorized the commencement of litigation against the manufacturers, distributors, and certain prescribing physicians of opioid pharmaceuticals to recover damages resulting from the county combatting and treating opioid abuse. With the settlement of some of the lawsuits, the county received funds to be used for opioid remediation.
With the boards’ action taken Tuesday, the Saratoga County DOH will use $72,000 of those opioid settlement funds to increase availability and distribution of naloxone and purchase additional ancillary supplies – such as drug disposal systems and drug test strips, to be included in the County’s Overdose Rescue kits, which are distributed at announced community events.
Additionally, $44,000 in opioid settlement funds received by the county will be used to support the DOH’s initiatives to provide school-based programs to prevent drug misuse, including related travel expenses associated with the presentations.
• Saratoga County had previously been awarded $44.65 million in APRA funds through the Federal Government’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved $820,000 of its received ARPA funds for the purchase of a Hazardous Material Response Vehicle (HAZMAT) County through the Toyne, Inc. company.
• The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved urging NY Gov. Kathy Hochul to oppose legislation and utilize her veto authority to reject a proposal that would move some local elections across the state to even-numbered years.
The county Board expressed several concerns in its vote opposing the bill. Among them: it would usurp home rule powers reserved by local governments; election and ballot counting technology would not be capable to meet the demands of a significantly increased ballot size, and alleging the change would create confusion among voters in towns and counties across the state.
If approved by Gov. Hochul, the measure would not affect elections this year, according to a report by the Associated Press. Local officials eventually would have to run for a shortened term to get them on an even-year cycle.
Kelly’s Angels Summer-Lovin’ Funfest comes to Lake George
LAKE GEORGE — Kelly’s Angels will host the inaugural Kelly’s Angels Summer-Lovin’ Funfest in Lake George July 12-15.
The event will take place at Shepard Park on the Lake George waterfront and features several days of music, food, crafts and more to raise money for the Kelly’s Angels mission of helping children and families as they deal with the loss of a loved one, serious illness or significant adversity.
The three-night music schedule will include the weekly Lake George fireworks show on Thursday, July 13. The band lineup includes appearances by: Kyshona, The Newells, Bluz House Rockers, New York Players, and Funk Evolution.
There is no admission charge.
Now in its 13th year, Kelly’s Angels has brought much-needed joy to hundreds of Capital Region children who have lost a parent or primary caregiver to cancer or other illness or event. Founded by NewsChannel 13 anchor/reporter Mark Mulholland in memory of his wife who passed away at the age of 37, Kelly’s Angels has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships to Capital Region children and families.
For more details, go to: www.kellysangelsinc.org/summerlovin.
Schuylerville Public Library to Celebrate New York State Foods on June 27
SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville Public Library’s monthly Cookbook Club will be sharing foods invented or popularized in New York State at its June meeting.
Many New Yorkers may have heard of Buffalo wings, Manhattan clam chowder, Waldorf salad, or Thousand Island dressing, but there are many more tasty New York delicacies to try.
Guests are invited to bring a New York State-inspired dish to the library’s Cookbook Club at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27 for a potluck-style meal. New York-themed cookbooks can also be found on reserve at the library’s circulation desk.
The Schuylerville Public Library’s Cookbook Club meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. The theme for 2023 is: Places around the United States and the World. Dishware and utensils are provided. Patrons are encouraged to bring anything they want to share–whether it be an appetizer, entree, dessert, or beverage–as long as it follows the month’s theme.
The Schuylerville Public Library is in the Village of Schuylerville on 52 Ferry St. To learn more, visit www.schuylervillelibrary.sals.edu.
Lake Smart: A SLPID Community Event
MALTA — Enjoy Dock Brown’s Food Truck, meet neighbors in the Saratoga Lake community, learn about Saratoga Lake ecology, fishing population, and tournaments, and meet your Marine patrol at Lake Smart, a community event held by the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID).
Lake Smart will take place Sunday, June 25 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Dock Brown’s Tent at Brown’s Beach.
The event will feature presentations by SLPID, Saratoga County Sheriff Marine Patrol on specific laws to Saratoga Lake, Saratoga Tackle and Archery on fish population, regulations, and tips for professional and amateur anglers and local fish tournaments. Learn more about Saratoga Lake’s aquatic vegetation and lake health and how to take the SLPID pledge. Free raffle prizes from local businesses will be offered – must be present to win. For more information visit slpidny.gov.
Saratoga Candy Co Celebrates 25th Anniversary July 1
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Candy Co. is celebrating its 25th Anniversary from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 1.
The “little store that could” was started by Dawn Oesch July 1, 1998 at 5 Washington St. Saratoga Springs, and is a major seller of The Peppermint Pig.
In 2021, Saratoga Candy Co. moved around the corner to 353 Broadway due to the huge expansion of the Adelphi. This new space is located at “kid level” and is now its permanent space.
The celebration in July will include giveaways of Candy Co merch and candy.
Soon-To-Be Saratoga Springs Police Chief Graduates from FBI National Academy
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lt. Tyler McIntosh has graduated as a member of the 286th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on June 8.
“The graduation of Lt. McIntosh from the National Academy could not have come at a better time, as he is slated to be sworn in as Chief of the Saratoga Springs Police Department upon the retirement of Chief Shane Crooks at the end of this month,” city Commissioner of Public Safety Jim Montagnino said in a statement. “The skills and training received at the National Academy will directly benefit the residents of and visitors to our city.”
The 286th session consisted of 238 law enforcement officers from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 25 countries, five military organizations, and six federal civilian organizations.
Figuereo Issued Court Appearance Ticket for DWI Allegation
MILTON — Thirty-six-year-old Saratoga BLM co-founder Alexis A. Figuereo was issued a court appearance ticket after being charged with misdemeanor DWI in Milton on June 19, according to state Police Incident Report.
Figuereo was stopped on Geyser Road and his blood alcohol content was 0.12% according to a report by WNYT-Newschannel 13.
The legal limit for blood alcohol level in New York is 0.08%.