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Coming Home: Captured Cannon Returns to Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.

Cannon with a story. Photo provided.

STILLWATER — A cannon captured by the Continental Army in October 1777 after they defeated the British Army at the Battles and Siege of Saratoga will be permanently preserved as a part of the museum collection at Saratoga National Historical Park.

The light six-pound British cannon (Cannon #102) was donated from the Department of the Army to the National Park Service (NPS).  

This British Cannon was crafted from bronze in 1756. The brass light six-pounder cannons were the most desired type of artillery used by the British and Americans during the War for Independence.  British General Burgoyne had 18 light six-pounders captured by the Continental Army, among other weapons. Throughout the war, the Continental Army continued to use the light six-pounders captured at Saratoga.   

Only three of the original 18 light six-pounders captured at Saratoga are known to remain in existence today.  It was engraved with trophy honors marking the cannon as Surrender Cannon from Saratoga at West Point in 1783. 

In 1934, the Town of Saratoga secured a loan of Cannon #102 from New York City Department of Parks and Recreation who were its stewards at that time.  However, rather than being displayed, it remained in storage in a Schuylerville barn until 1961. It was then taken to Saratoga Springs, where it was allegedly illegally sold to a collector of militaria. Despite attempts to track down its location over the years and return it to Saratoga, it was essentially lost.   

 In 2009, a visitor to Saratoga National Historical Park commented to park staff that he had just seen a cannon with Saratoga trophy engravings at a museum in Alabama. An NPS team visited the museum in Tuscaloosa and confirmed its identity as the missing Cannon.  

 In 2011, the NPS and the U.S. Army Center for Military History agreed to pursue the case for the retrieval of the Cannon #102 on behalf of the U.S. Army. In 2013, the Westervelt Company and the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art returned it to the Department of the Army. Later that year, the Center officially loaned the cannon to the park, where it has been ever since.

Lane Reductions, Closures Leading Up to Racing Season 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Photo: Road work along Broadway in Saratoga Springs earlier this week. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that westbound Union Avenue (State Route 9P) in Saratoga Springs will be closed through Friday at 5:30 p.m. for work on an ongoing Complete Streets project. Following the closures, westbound Union Avenue will reopen to one lane.  

During the closure, westbound motorists will be detoured to northbound Henning Road, westbound Lake Ave (State Route 29), then southbound East Avenue to reconnect to Union Avenue. Eastbound Union Avenue remains open with one lane. 

Motorists should continue to watch for lane reductions and closures on Union Avenue as work progresses until the start of the summer racing season. 

 For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app. 

American Legion National Commander Visits Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

American Legion National Commander Vincent J “Jim” Troiola visiting Saratoga Springs American Legion on April 13, 2023. Photo: Super Source Media Studios.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — American Legion National Commander Vincent J “Jim” Troiola visited Saratoga Springs last week, which featured a scheduled gathering at the Holiday Inn, and a visit to Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. 

Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga Equine Therapy Program “Freedom Rein Project” is a free of charge program for veterans and service members designed to help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues. 

“We are honored to partner with Commander Troiola and the Saratoga Springs and Schuylerville American Legions to help in making a real difference in the lives of our nation’s veterans,” Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga co-founder Dr. Erin Sisk said in a statement, in advance of the visit. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all veterans have access to the care and support they deserve.” 

For more information on Therapeutic Horse of Saratoga, visit thsaratoga.org. 

Tonko Selects 15 Capital Region Projects for Community Funding Push 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

ALBANY/ Saratoga County — Congressman Paul Tonko this week announced 15 community development and improvement projects across New York’s 20th Congressional District that he submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations in a bid to bring direct federal investment to the region under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Community Project Funding process.

A number of the selected projects are in Saratoga County.

Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for Fiscal Year 2024—although not all projects are guaranteed to receive funding. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.

“Each of these 15 projects was chosen from many dozens of stellar applications and put through a rigorous, thorough selection process by my staff and myself,” Tonko said, in a statement. 

Projects submitted by Rep. Tonko include:

• Crescent Ave. Connector, 474 Broadway, 1st Floor, Suite 11, Saratoga Springs. Amount Requested: $300,000. 

• Moreau Emergency Squad Building Expansion, Moreau Emergency Squad, Inc. Amount Requested: $2 million.

• Schuylerville and Victory Water Main Replacement, Schuylerville/Victory Board of Water Management Amount Requested: $641,250.

• Southern Saratoga YMCA Capital Improvements, Young Men’s Christian Association of the Capital District. Amount Requested: $2 million.

• Town of Galway Community Building, Town of Galway. Amount Requested: $675,000.

• Watervliet Youth Center Capital Improvements, Watervliet Civic Chest, Inc. Amount Requested: $800,000. 

Despite Neighborhood Petition to Stay Open, Stewart’s Shops Officially Announces April 30 Store Closure

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — Stewart’s Shops officially announced on April 18 that it will close its on 404 Geyser Road in Ballston Spa. The store will close on Sunday, April 30. “All Partners will be offered placement at other shops,” according to a company statement.  

Residents of the neighborhood shop had initiated a Save Our Local Store petition that had garnered 120 signatures.  

“Please do not close our neighborhood Stewart’s: the only Stewart’s within walking distance of Geyser Crest neighborhood,” reads the petition. “We love this store and use it every day. It’s part of our community, and the neighborhood will not be the same without it.” 

Stewart’s Shops said it chose to close the Geyser Road location to refocus their efforts on serving customers at nearby locations. 

“In most areas, Stewart’s Shops have the space to be the community grocery store, restaurant and gas station and this shop cannot expand to fit those needs. It is always a difficult decision to close a shop, and we would like to thank all our loyal customers for their business,” Stewart’s Shops president Gary Dake said in a statement.

The company added that this closure is not a reflection of the company overall, and that in 2023 Stewart’s Shops is investing more than $50 million in construction of nine brand new shops and eight rebuilt shops, which will replace older, smaller locations.

City Council to Host Cannabis Policy Workshop Thursday

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city will host a Cannabis Policy Workshop at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 27.  

“The city has to define certain zones for businesses that produce and distribute for use cannabis,” city Mayor Ron Kim said on April 18.  

The gathering will be a full council meeting, he added.  

“We want to use this workshop to explain where those districts are and also explain the next steps for those who may be interested in establishing a cannabis business in the area.” 

The Salvation Army Anti-Human Trafficking Program

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs currently has an Anti-Human Trafficking Program: Fight for Freedom. This program is funded by a grant through OVS. Currently, The Salvation Army is servicing all victims of human trafficking in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. This is the 4th year of the program which is funded through September of 2025. 

To date, The Salvation Army’s Fight for Freedom program has been able to help 64 victims with case management, access to food, clothing and hygiene products, financial assistance, crisis intervention, safety planning, family support, and referrals to any other identified services of need. Of the 64 clients served, 57 were minors. In the last year, Fight for Freedom has been able to help relocate a client out of state and help with their college enrollment. The program was also able to help another client get her high school education online and assist with a laptop purchase. In the last month, the program has been able to support both a mother and daughter in getting their national certifications (a victim service that allows for a lifetime of free medical services and therapeutic services). Much like the national averages, the majority of who Fight for Freedom is serving identify as female (72% female, 28% male). 

The Salvation Army hopes to continue to grow the Fight for Freedom program through partnerships with both CAPTAIN CHS and WAIT House. If you would like to support a program like this, please call 518-584-1640 extension 1 or email Lt. Mike at Michael.dow@use.salvationarmy.org for more information.

Saratoga Senior Center Hosts Health Discussions Event April 26

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A special health care program will be presented by St. Peters Health Partners and the Saratoga Senior Center on Wednesday, April 26.  

The event will include a screening of the short documentary film “Extremis.” The film addresses the challenges patients and families face when making decisions in the midst of a medical crisis.

Following the viewing, there will be a physician-led panel discussion covering serious illness conversations and the importance of advance care planning.  Many seniors face medically prompted transitions when serious illness strikes.  The program seeks to address the communication and planning issues that may arise at that time, with an eye towards the best preparation possible.

The panel presenters will include physicians and other team professionals from St. Peter’s Palliative Care Partners.  

The program starts at 1:30 p.m. with a light lunch, followed at 2 p.m. with the film and panel discussion.  The program is free, sponsored by the Nordlys Foundation.

Reservations are required, and may be made by contacting the Saratoga Senior Center at 5 Williams St. in Saratoga Springs: 518-584-1621, or email to colleenk@saratogaseniorcenter.org  

One Saratoga Seeks an Independent Line on Ballot, Endorses Candidates

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Beginning on April 18, One Saratoga members and supporters began going door-to-door asking for residents of Saratoga Springs to sign petitions to get their endorsed candidates an independent line on the Nov. 7 ballot. Any person who is registered to vote regardless of their party affiliation and including No Party, may sign.

One Saratoga has endorsed candidates from both the Democratic and Republican party, including: Chris Mathiesen for Mayor, Tim Coll for Public Safety, and Matthew Veitch and Michele Madigan for County Supervisors.

“One Saratoga was created to promote City before Party, and this year we hope to further that effort with a line on the ballot which we believe contain candidates who share our goal,” Courtney DeLeonardis, Chair of One Saratoga, said in a statement.

One Saratoga is a non-partisan coalition of local residents. For more information go to: realonesaratoga.org.

Saratoga Springs Pedestrian Killed in Crash

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WILTON — Shortly after 8 p.m. on April 13 the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian collision on Maple Avenue in the town of Wilton. 

Mary L. Farrington, 79, of Saratoga Springs, was crossing the roadway when she was struck by a 2022 Toyota Prius operated by 54-year-old Daqing Zhang of Mechanicville, according to the sheriff’s office.  Farrington was transported to Saratoga Hospital where she died of her injuries. 

Zhang remained on the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, authorities said.