A Broadalbin man has been arrested after he allegedly crashed into another vehicle while driving under the influence, causing two people to need hospitalization. 

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office said the crash occurred on Jan. 31 at 12:39 p.m. in the Town of Galway. The driver, Timothy P. Magagnos was arrested on charges of DWI and failure to yield. 

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Magagnos was traveling south on Greens Corner Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign, striking another vehicle which was traveling East on Route 29. The crash injured four people in the other vehicle, causing two to be transported to Saratoga Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Magagnos was not injured in the collision and allegedly refused a chemical test at the scene. He was arraigned in Galway Town Court and released on his own recognizance pending further proceedings. 

A Corinth man has been arrested after he allegedly assaulted the driver of a vehicle he was riding in. 

Daniel Tubbs, of Corinth, was arrested by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 31 in the Town of Corinth. According to Deputies, Tubbs repeatedly punched the victim in the face and abandoned them on the side of the road. 

The victim, who was not identified by the Sheriff’s Office, subsequently went to nearby residence and informed the homeowner of the assault. The victim was initially transported by EMS to Saratoga Hospital for treatment but later transferred to Albany Medical Center for head and facial injuries. 

Tubbs was charged with second degree assault and 2nd degree assault and 2nd degree reckless endangerment. He was arraigned in the Corinth Town Court and is currently being held in the Saratoga County Jail awaiting further proceedings. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued an update on the Hudson River’s Atlantic striped bass Juvenile Abundance Index (JAI) survey and ongoing collaborations on management of this important fishery. 

DEC’s JAI determined poor reproductive success in the river for the third consecutive year. In light of the ongoing poor juvenile reproduction and concerns about poor reproduction coastwide, DEC made the motion that initiated the formation of a working group at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to discuss upcoming striped bass management challenges. That motion received strong support to begin discussions of how to manage this important fishery in the 2030s when the coastal population is expected to be much smaller. 

“For the third straight year, DEC’s annual juvenile striped bass survey in the Hudson River documented poor striped bass reproduction, heightening concerns about future abundance and long-term management implications for this critical resource,” Commissioner Lefton said. “The most recent findings confirm that it is more important than ever that DEC continue to engage with the interstate management process, as well as with the coastal community of stakeholders, to take a leadership role in responsibly managing the striped bass population over the next decade.” 

DEC surveys striped bass juveniles and adults at their spawning grounds in the Hudson River and in the Atlantic Ocean. The 2025 value for the DEC’s Hudson River striped bass young-of-year index was 8.27 fish per haul. This value is below the long-term average, and for the third consecutive year, survey values were below the 25th percentile. The index value, which provides an estimate of annual reproduction for striped bass in the Hudson River, is generated through beach seine surveys at 13 sites in the lower Hudson River conducted bi-weekly from July to November. The survey can be found on DEC’s Striped Bass webpage.

This recent poor juvenile reproduction in the Hudson River, along with consistent poor reproduction in the Chesapeake Bay over the last seven years, indicates that there will be a significant future decrease in catchable striped bass beginning in 2030. The Hudson and Chesapeake combined contribute approximately 90 percent of the coastal population of striped bass. Reproduction of migratory fish in estuaries along the Atlantic Coast is typically highly variable and is heavily dependent on environmental conditions such as precipitation, water temperature and salinity, but it remains unclear what is driving this pattern in striped bass.   

The next striped bass stock assessment will take place in 2027 and the results of that assessment will inform ASMFC striped bass management decisions starting in 2028. Recognizing the concerning poor juvenile reproduction in recent years, DEC proactively proposed that ASMFC create and convene a working group to meet between now and the upcoming assessment to be fully prepared to make management decisions upon receipt of those results. 

The new working group will consider how to update the Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan’s goals, objectives, and management of striped bass in preparation for the results of the 2027 assessment.

 The goal of the working group is to prepare fishery managers to adapt successfully to the lower population level in the 2030s while maintaining access to striped bass and its important societal, cultural, and economic benefits. The initial step of forming the working group will occur on February 5, 2026, at the ASMFC Winter Meeting in Arlington, Virginia.  

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby today announced the creation of a new Appeals Bureau within the District Attorney’s Office, a strategic move that will significantly reduce costs to taxpayers while strengthening the office’s ability to protect convictions and deliver justice for crime victims. 

By handling appeals in-house rather than relying on outside counsel, the new Appeals Bureau is expected to save Saratoga County taxpayers six figures annually. In addition to the financial benefits, the bureau will ensure that appeals are handled by experienced prosecutors who work closely with trial attorneys from the earliest stages of a case through final resolution.

“This new Appeals Bureau is both fiscally responsible and justice-driven,” District Attorney Eby said. “By keeping appeals work within our office, we are saving taxpayers a substantial amount of money while ensuring continuity, accountability, and the highest level of advocacy for the people of Saratoga County.” The Appeals Bureau will be led by Jesse Ashdown, a veteran prosecutor with more than 20 years of experience in the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office. Ashdown previously served as a Principal Court Attorney at the New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court.

Under the new structure, seasoned appellate prosecutors will collaborate directly with trial attorneys to defend hard-fought convictions on appeal, strengthening the office’s overall prosecution strategy and ensuring that victims receive lasting justice.

“Our victims deserve more than just a conviction, they deserve to know that the result will be defended at every level,” Eby said. “Having experienced appellate attorneys working hand-in-hand with our trial team gives us a significant advantage in protecting those outcomes.”

District Attorney Eby said Ashdown’s background made him the clear choice to lead the new bureau. 

“Jesse Ashdown’s experience as a prosecutor, his strong leadership within this office, and his time working at the Court of Appeals make him the natural fit to lead our Appeals Bureau,” Eby said. “He understands how cases are built, how they are reviewed, and how to successfully defend them at the highest levels of the judicial system.”

“I’m honored to take on this role,” said Chief Ashdown. “This unit will strengthen our ability to defend convictions and ensure that the work done on behalf of victims and the community is preserved on appeal. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity.”

At its recent board meeting, Franklin Community Center (FCC) proudly voted to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors. For more than 40 years, FCC has been an active force in Saratoga County, dedicated to helping to improve the quality of life in our community and to bridge gaps in community needs by providing support, services, and resources that ensure core needs are met.

FCC is pleased to welcome Cliff VanWagner, a long-time volunteer and dedicated community member. Cliff spent his professional career at The Wesley Community, where he served as a licensed pharmacist and later advanced to Director of Pharmacy, a role he held until his retirement in spring 2025. 

Among his many accomplishments, Cliff led the design and implementation of a drug distribution system serving more than 350 residents. Beyond his professional work, Cliff remains deeply engaged in the community, supporting fundraising efforts for the Saratoga Springs Police Department Canine Unit, Saratoga Springs Lions Club Foundation, and Leadership Saratoga.

“After spending the last 10 years working with FCC to assist with the food pantry expansion and fundraising for the new building, I am honored and humbled to join the Board,” said VanWagner. “My goal is to help further FCC’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring its continued success.”

FCC also warmly welcomes Christine Hogan Barton to the Board of Directors. An Associate Real Estate Broker at Roohan Realty, Christine has long been involved in the Saratoga Springs community through her support of events such as the North Country Festival of Trees, Touch-A-Truck, and recreational sports programs within the Saratoga Springs School District. “My board membership is deeply meaningful because it allows me to be part of a collaborative team making a difference where it matters most—right here in our local community,” said Hogan Barton. “It is a privilege I truly value.”

In addition, FCC extends heartfelt gratitude to Zackary Manz, recent past president, whose 10-year term concluded at the November 2025 board meeting. Zack’s leadership, thoughtful approach to complex conversations, and strategic vision left a lasting impact on the organization. While his contributions will be greatly missed, his warmth and positivity will be remembered most fondly. The staff and board wish Zack all the best and hope he enjoys time with his family—while keeping the door open for a future return.

For many people, hearing the words “SantaCon” creates images of Caroline Street being overcrowded, of lots of drinking, and of the craziness associated with an alcohol-related event. SantaCon organizer Brian Miller hopes to change that perception to one of community and local business support, and to inspire other business owners to get more involved in their community. 

Miller’s involvement with Saratoga SantaCon began while he worked as a Brand Ambassador, and later Sales Representative, for Saratoga Eagle. The event needed a liaison between the participating bars and the third-party group that was organizing it, and Miller stepped up to the task. Shortly after, the original organizer turned the keys over to Miller. Now, he is the organizer of Saratoga SantaCon, and also the Events Director at The Bourbon Room.

What started as a Caroline Street event that 75-100 people attended, has now blossomed into a downtown, large-scale event. On December 13, 2025, over 3,000 “Santas” descended on Caroline Street and Phila Street and the 15 participating bars. Saratoga SantaCon is the largest pub crawl in the Capital District and potentially is a top five pub crawl in upstate New York. 

People travel from across New York State, and even from Vermont to attend the event. Miller noted, “It helps being in Saratoga and having all of the bars in one concentrated area, having a beautiful downtown, and having hotels and restaurants here where people can make it a weekend.” 

While Saratoga SantaCon provides attendees with a fun holiday experience, it also has a beneficial impact on the Saratoga community in two ways – by supporting a local non-profit, and through the effects it has on bars and restaurants. 

Franklin Community Center (FCC) was selected as the beneficiary of the event by the original organizers, and 100% of the proceeds benefit the agency. Originally, the fee to attend the event was a donation of five non-perishable food items to benefit the FCC Food Pantry. Over time, Miller and FCC transitioned away from collecting items, as it created logistical challenges with storing food overnight in a climate-controlled area and securing a donation of trucks to transport them from Caroline Street to the Food Pantry. Also, the holidays are typically a time of increased donations for the Food Pantry, making financial contributions more needed.

Now, attendees purchase tickets to participate in the event, and all of the proceeds benefit FCC. In 2025, the event raised $26,565 – the most successful year yet, an increase of over $10,000 from the previous year’s total. The funds generated through the event help support FCC in carrying out its mission year-round. FCC serves over ten thousand individuals in Saratoga County each year through its essential programs: Food Pantry, Free Store, Project Lift, Student and Family Services, and Franklin Community Manor. 

In addition to the community impact, Saratoga SantaCon positively benefits downtown businesses. For most bars and restaurants, the winter months are the slowest, which creates real challenges for businesses to stay afloat. Saratoga SantaCon brings in thousands of people, who spend money at almost a dozen bars and restaurants throughout the day. For some establishments, the profits made on the event date alone help generate enough to keep them in business through the winter. This year, the event generated over $500,000 in revenue for the businesses.

What’s next for Saratoga SantaCon? Miller hopes to continue to expand to become a larger scale community event that is highlighted by the pub crawl. His vision? Victorian Streetwalk meets Saratoga Fall Fest, but make it Christmas! The goal is to create opportunities for businesses to host family-friendly activities and events during the day, while still providing the fun atmosphere for the “Santas” in the evening. 

Miller hopes that business owners are inspired by the success of Saratoga SantaCon, and help organize their own events or take part in existing ones. Miller says, “As a business owner, on a popular street, use your popularity for good. I don’t think enough people do that.” 

His favorite part of Saratoga SantaCon is the level of care the bars and restaurants put into it. He noted that as the first to arrive on Caroline Street, he sees all of the businesses getting ready – putting up their decorations, having staff arrive early, and being prepared to give it their full attention. Their ownership of the event ensures its success, “…when you rely on it, you care if something happens to it,” states Miller. 

Going forward, Miller’s aim is for businesses to “…realize that the largest resource they have to create their own event like this is them.” And if they need help getting started, Miller says, “I’m always open to ideas.”

This December, when you think of Saratoga SantaCon, think of the event’s lasting impact on the Saratoga community through non-profit and local business support.

The Saratoga Lake Association (SLA) today commended Town of Wilton Highway Superintendent Michael Monroe and the Town of Wilton for securing a New York State Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant to construct a new, modern salt storage facility, a major investment in protecting water quality in the Saratoga Lake watershed.

Superintendent Monroe has announced that the Town has been awarded $600,000 under the State’s 2025 WQIP program to build the new salt shed. The project is designed to prevent salt and salt-laden runoff from leaching into stormwater systems, streams, groundwater, and ultimately Saratoga Lake. This is the second WQIP grant secured by Monroe for Wilton, bringing the total external funding obtained for water-quality-related infrastructure to approximately $1.5 million.

“Mike Monroe has set the gold standard for municipal highway operations in the Saratoga Lake watershed,” said James DeMasi, President of the Saratoga Lake Association. “This project is not just about improving operations—it is about stopping pollution at its source. Proper salt storage is one of the most effective and practical ways to reduce the long-term chloride loading that threatens our lake and its tributaries.”

A modern, fully enclosed salt storage facility is a cornerstone of best management practices for winter road maintenance. By keeping salt protected from rain and snowmelt and by controlling drainage and material handling, the new Wilton facility will eliminate a major, and often overlooked, pathway by which chlorides enter the environment before they ever reach the roadway.

“This is about doing our job better and more responsibly,” said Superintendent Monroe. “We can keep roads safe for the public and, at the same time, be better stewards of our water resources. This new facility is an important step in that direction.”

This investment complements the broader, forward-looking program already implemented under Monroe’s leadership, including calibrated spreaders across the fleet, the adoption of live-edge plow technology, and the introduction of brine pretreatment to reduce overall salt usage.

“Superintendent Monroe has shown that public safety and environmental stewardship go hand in hand,” DeMasi added. “Wilton is demonstrating what modern, responsible highway management looks like in a sensitive watershed. We strongly encourage other municipalities in the region to follow Wilton’s example.”

Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi has announced that he is taking a leave of absence for health reasons. 

The announcement came at a village meeting on January 26. Rossie said realization that he had to take his health more seriously came after the death of former Ballston Spa Mayor Christine Fitzpatrick.

“Health becomes paramount, and right now my health is not in great shape,” Rossi said. “I’m not looking for sympathy on that, but we are at a point where I have to sort of look out for myself a little bit.”

Rossi said he doesn’t know when he will be back and said that being a public official can have a drastic impact on your mental and physical health. 

“It’s one of those times in my life that I need to take care of me,” Rossi said. “ I apologize to the community for that fact because I feel like I’m letting you all down in that respect. At the same time, it’s what you have to do sometimes.”

During the leave of absence Rossi has advised people seeking information and regular updates to go to the Village Facebook page and website, as opposed to his. While initially Rossie had planned on unpublishing his page, he later put it back up after he said someone threatened him with a lawsuit. 

Rossie’s announcement came after a controversial bill removing a residency requirement for Village appointed board positions — such as the planning board — was tabled for further consideration after public outcry. 

It’s unclear when Rossi will return to day-to-day duties. While during the meeting he said that he wasn’t stepping away permanently, he also said that he couldn’t provide any more specifics about when he was returning. 

In the meantime, he’ll still handle things like signatures while other duties he can’t complete will be handled by Deputy Mayor and Village Trustee Bernadette VanDenise-Perez, according to News10.