BALLSTON SPA – The Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors. The department has an immediate need for volunteers in the Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, and South Glens Falls areas. 

This important program helps many seniors, age 60 and older, remain independent in their homes by providing them with a nutritious ready-to-eat lunch each weekday. 

“Volunteers are the driving force behind our ability to help Saratoga County seniors in need,” said Sandra Cross, Director of the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services. “With the winter months approaching, we have an urgent need for meal delivery volunteers who can share a couple hours of their time to help our seniors. Simply delivering a meal can brighten someone’s day, alleviate loneliness, and ensure that our most vulnerable community members receive the nourishment they need.”

Volunteers can choose a flexible schedule that meets their availability, volunteering as little as once a week or as much as five days a week. Meals are picked up at 11 a.m. at the area meal site where they are volunteering and delivered until 1 p.m. each weekday. 

Becoming a volunteer is easy. Individuals simply fill out an application and provide references to the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services. Training and orientation are provided to all volunteers. Volunteers must have a valid driver license and their own vehicle. 

Those interested in becoming a meal delivery volunteer should call the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-363-4020.

BALLSTON SPA  — The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops during November:

November 12 at 10:30AM: Interview Preparation – Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.

November 13 at 10AM: Goal Setting – Goals are what take us forward in life. They are the first step in every journey we take. In this workshop we will explain how goal setting works, why goals are important, and take home more helpful resources to get you started. Remember: “if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” Find out how to reach your dreams. Facilitated by Washington and Albany. 

November 15 at 10:30AM: Networking – Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. Facilitated by Warren and Albany.

November 21 at 11AM: Completing Job Applications – Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

November 26 at 11AM: Overcoming Barriers – Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.

November 26 at 1:30PM: Social Media – Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.

 Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information.  The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.

NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James on Nov. 7 released police body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of a 48-year-old Columbia County man who died following an encounter with members of the New York State Police in Saratoga Springs.

On the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2024, troopers responding to a 911 call followed James Dellea as he drove to and parked in a parking lot on State Route 9. The troopers approached Dellea while he sat in his car, holding a long gun. According to the statement released by the attorney general’s office, during the encounter one of the troopers, who was off duty at the time, fired his weapon, striking Dellea, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers recovered one long gun.

According to State Police reports released in September, troopers first located Dellea in the parking lot of the Albany-Saratoga Speedway on State Route 9 in the Town of Malta. When Troopers attempted to interview Dellea, he failed to follow lawful commands to exit his vehicle and fled the scene. A low-speed 3-1/2-mile vehicle pursuit was initiated, and Dellea subsequently stopped his vehicle in the parking lot of Bethel Saratoga, 3246 State Route 9/ South Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

Additionally, the release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime, according to the attorney general’s office. 

Warning: The video, which may be viewed at https://ag.ny.gov/osi/footage/james-dellea contains content that viewers may find disturbing.

BALLSTON SPA — For half a century Brookside Museum and Saratoga County History Center have been dedicated to the mission of bettering Saratoga County and preserving its history, an endeavor made possible through perseverance, passion and the steadfast support of the community. A

All are welcome at the Saratoga County History Center to help celebrate the 50th anniversary, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17. The celebration will be held in the Long Room at Brookside Museum located at 21 Fairground Ave. in Ballston Spa. 

There will be a short business portion before the festivities for members to vote on the proposed budget and slate of board members for 2025. The highlight will be the premiere of the film 50 Years of Brookside Museum. Registration is not mandatory to attend but is encouraged at: www.brooksidemuseum.org.  

Saratoga Springs — Silver Therapeutics’ Silver Cannabis Company, a local Saratoga Springs cannabis dispensary, is rolling out a Donation Drive to support Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and Month.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people across the country come together to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week before Thanksgiving (Nov. 17 – 23) holding a series of educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events. 

The dispensary is partnering with Shelters of Saratoga throughout all November to raise awareness about local poverty, hunger and homelessness in the area. The organizations will collect donations of non-perishable food items, clothing, blankets, shoes, toiletries, mittens and gloves, and similar items, at Silver Cannabis Company. All donations will directly benefit the needs of un-homed and impoverished individuals, families, and communities.

All donations can be delivered to Silver Cannabis Company – located at 75 Weibel Ave., Saratoga Springs, during regular business hours. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, the Christopher Dailey Foundation will host their 23rd Annual Christopher Dailey 5K Saratoga Turkey Trot.  The Run/Walk will be held on Broadway in Saratoga Springs starting at 8:30 a.m.  

All proceeds from the event will support the Christopher Dailey Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting youth needs in the Saratoga community since 2002.  

For instructions on how to register online, in person, or by mail, go to: https://www.christopherdaileyfoundation.com/. You can connect with the Foundation by calling 518- 879-8305 or by emailing: christopherdaileyfoundation@gmail.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new sign initiative aimed at increasing public safety has been installed in a handful of locations across the city, Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll said in a statement. 

The new signage will complement the new SSPD Traffic Unit – expected to become operational in January. 

The new informational signage has been installed at:  

– Route 9, near the entrance to the Code Blue Shelter that reads, “Pedestrian Crossing, Use Caution.” Earlier this year, a homeless individual was struck by a vehicle crossing Route 9, in the vicinity of the shelter. 

– Broadway (both directions), at the intersection of Circular Street, two installed signs read, “For Your Safety and Theirs, Please Do Not Give Money to Persons in the Roadway.” 

– At the three Taxis Stands in the City, signs that read, “Area Under Surveillance, Unregulated Taxi Operations Will be Prosecuted.” 

Additional signage will be added prior to track season, according to the city. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The re-development of a multi-story building on the southwest corner of Broadway and Division Street continues. 

The red-brick building was originally developed in 2000 to house Borders Books & Music, and in in 2018 was purchased by Ed Mitzen and the Fingerpaint Marketing firm. It was later sold to Prime Group Holdings for $11 million. Plans call for a two-story addition to the building and the combined four-story building would serve as office space for Prime Group Holdings, with a retail store component on the first floor.

Locally sited developments and re-developments are publicly discussed at the city’s three Land Use Boards, which host multiple meetings during any given month. To learn more about the meetings and the Planning Board, Design Review Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, go to: https://www.saratoga-springs.org/.