Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby announced today that a Saratoga County jury has found Brian Hopkins guilty of Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child, a Class A-II felony, following a jury trial in Saratoga County Court.

“This verdict is a powerful affirmation of the courage and truth of a young victim who endured unimaginable trauma,” said District Attorney Eby. “We are profoundly grateful to the victim and the victim’s family for their tremendous strength in standing up to a dangerous individual. Their bravery made this conviction possible and has ensured that this defendant will no longer be able to harm others.”

District Attorney Eby praised the extraordinary efforts of the prosecution team. “Senior Bureau Chief Michele Schettino is one of the top prosecutors in the State of New York. She worked exceptionally long hours for months, leaving no detail uncovered and no stone unturned, to ensure justice for this victim. Alongside her was Assistant District Attorney Alexander Brennan, who also worked tirelessly and was an invaluable asset at trial in securing this just result.”

District Attorney Eby also extended his gratitude to the dedicated members of the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office who contributed to securing the conviction: Crime Victim Advocate Ashley Kitts, Special Victims Bureau Chief Rachael Phelan, Senior Attorney Andreanna Diliberto, Investigator Michael Hourigan, Investigator Mike Wells, Investigator Jack Barney, Investigator Joseph Iwaniec, Investigator Mark Sauter, Investigator Tim Sicko, and legal intern Audrey Fountain.

“We are equally grateful to our partners in law enforcement whose professionalism and commitment were instrumental in this case,” Eby said. “We thank the New York State Police, including Investigator Michael Menges, Investigator Roger Lind, Lieutenant Shane Larkin, Investigator Cecile LeBarron, Senior Investigator Matthew Britten, and Investigator John Montesano for their thorough investigation and steadfast dedication to protecting children in our community.”

“Our office will seek the maximum punishment allowable under the law,” District Attorney Eby stated. “Predatory sexual assault of a child is among the most heinous crimes prosecuted in our courts. We will continue to stand with victims, pursue justice relentlessly, and ensure that those who prey upon children are held fully accountable.”

Sentencing will be held before the Honorable James R. Davis at a later date.

The 2026 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee has already begun planning for this year’s edition of the area’s premiere new home tour. 

Celebrating its 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, this annual community tradition has contributed nearly $1.7 million dollars to our local charities. 

We are excited to announce this year’s dates and look forward to presenting an outstanding line-up of magnificent homes on display this fall. The 2026 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event will be held on 4 days over two spectacular weekends this fall on October 3-4 & October 10-11 featuring the regions’ finest, award-winning builders showcasing their new construction. 

The Showcase of Homes Committee will have an extensive marketing and promotional campaign, which will include official media sponsors in newspapers, magazines, television, online, social media and more! If you are interested in entering a new home in the event or becoming a showcase sponsor, please contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518.366.0946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org. 

The 2026 Saratoga Showcase of Homes event proceeds will benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Last year, $66,000 was raised for these two important organizations. Through this event, the Saratoga Builders Association has now contributed nearly $1.7 million to our local charities. 

For more information, please visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. 

Dancing Grain Farm Brewery invites the community to gather on the farm for Beers & Gears, a family-friendly car show and fundraiser benefiting the Veterans Business Council of Saratoga County, on Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Set against the scenic backdrop of the working farm brewery, Beers & Gears celebrates automotive passion and local pride while supporting veterans across the region. The event will showcase a diverse lineup of classic cars and trucks, modern builds, and sports models alongside New York State farm-brewed beer, local food offerings, and a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

Car owners are invited to register their vehicles for a $20 entry fee, with $15 from every registration directly donated to the Veterans Business Council. Vehicles will be peer-judged by fellow participants, with Top 10 trophies and recognition ribbons awarded.

Guests attending as spectators can enjoy coffee, breakfast, and lunch options on site, explore the vehicle displays, and relax with Dancing Grain’s farm-brewed beer. Admission for guests is free, making the event an accessible way for families, neighbors, and veteran supporters to gather and give back together.

Proceeds from vehicle registrations and a 50/50 raffle will help the Veterans Business Council continue its mission of connecting veterans and their families with business development resources, employment pathways, and entrepreneurial training throughout Saratoga County and beyond.

CAPTAIN Community Human Services (CAPTAIN CHS) hosted a special evening honoring its past and celebrating its future on Thursday, February 26, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Van Patten Golf Club (924 Main Street, Clifton Park, NY 12065). 

The event honored outgoing Executive Director Andy Gilpin for more than two decades of service and welcomed Scott DeMarco as he stepped into the role. Guests enjoyed a light dinner, cash bar, and live musical quartet while gathering in recognition of the compassion and commitment that power CAPTAIN CHS’s mission. 

Since becoming Executive Director in January 2021, Gilpin has guided CAPTAIN CHS through a period of meaningful growth. Under his leadership, the organization strengthened homelessness prevention efforts, expanded family support programming, enhanced services for homeless and runaway youth, and deepened partnerships throughout Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties. 

During this time, CAPTAIN CHS has helped hundreds of households remain safely housed, provided thousands of hours of volunteer-powered support, assisted countless families in achieving greater financial stability, and ensured children and seniors had access to food, shelter, and critical services when they needed them most. 

“Serving this community through CAPTAIN CHS has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said Gilpin. “This work has always been about people: neighbors helping neighbors. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters.” 

DeMarco, who assumed the role earlier this year, brings a collaborative leadership style and a commitment to advancing the organization’s impact. 

“I’m honored to follow in Andy’s footsteps,” said DeMarco. “CAPTAIN CHS has built a culture rooted in dignity, compassion, and action. My focus is on strengthening that foundation: listening to our community and ensuring that every person who turns to us feels supported and empowered.” 

The evening included reflections on CAPTAIN CHS’s journey, recognition of Gilpin’s leadership, and looking ahead at the organization’s strategic priorities, including its current capital campaign, Building Brighter Futures.

“This is more than a leadership transition,” added Gilpin. “It’s a moment to celebrate the resilience of our community and the shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.”   

Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $240 million in tax credits and subsidies was awarded to create and preserve 1,800 affordable, modern homes in 27 housing developments across New York. 

The awarded projects include housing with supportive services, accessibility features, and incorporate sustainability measures to keep costs down for residents and help address climate change. Developments provide homes for people of all ages and phases of life, strengthen communities, and further local economic development efforts. The funding is part of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

“The housing crisis won’t solve itself. If we want New York to remain a place people can afford to call home, we have to act with urgency,” Governor Hochul said. “That means building more housing in every region and making targeted investments to expand affordable homes for people of all ages and phases of life including working families, seniors, and people living with disabilities.”

The awards are provided through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s annual Low-Income Housing Tax Credit competitive funding round. Financing includes $66 million from its Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs and $176 million in subsidy loans. Tax credit and subsidy information for each project is available here. When combined with private funding, the projects are expected to generate $1 billion in overall investment.

More than half of the awarded projects will also receive support from agencies including the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Empire State Development, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Mental Health — demonstrating that housing affordability is a priority across all sectors.

New This Year

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) updated its Design Guidelines and scoring incentives in 2025 to increase accessibility. The updated guidelines prioritized projects that included a larger proportion of accessible units, resulting in a 33 percent increase in fully accessible units for those with mobility or hearing or visual impairments.

The projects will all achieve high levels of carbon reduction, with some projects receiving funding through HCR’s Multifamily Solar Program, which funds the installation of on-site solar arrays, as well as some projects receiving funding for electrification upgrades through HCR’s Clean Energy Initiative. Both programs are funded in partnership with NYSERDA. These investments complement New York’s mission to address climate change by decreasing emissions by 85 percent by 2050.

 “New York is committed to building more affordable housing and this $240 million investment will provide 1,800 individuals and families the opportunity to find modern and sustainable homes they can afford in every region of the state,” New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “These projects show that our commitment to housing goes hand-in-glove with our commitment to the environment and to improving accessibility. We applaud Governor Hochul for being laser-focused on making our communities more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers.”

“Every family in New York deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” Senator Charles Schumer said,  “I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help preserve or build 1,800 homes in every corner of the Empire State. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation, so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to housing for working families in New York, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to develop more affordable housing.”

 “Too many New Yorkers are being forced out of their communities because of the affordable housing crisis,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. “We must move faster to build the housing people can actually afford. I’m grateful this investment will help create and preserve 1,800 affordable homes across New York, and I’ll keep fighting to expand the housing supply so every New Yorker can find a safe and affordable place to call home.”

 “This major announcement represents a critical step forward in our efforts to ensure that every New Yorker has a safe, affordable place to call home,” Representative Paul Tonko said. “By investing nearly $240 million in affordable housing construction, including more than $66 million from the Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, New York State and its partners will be able to create and preserve 1,800 more affordable homes in 27 housing developments across our state. Importantly, each of these projects will include accessibility and sustainability features that will allow them to house New Yorkers of all ages while also helping to address the climate crisis. I’m thrilled to celebrate this significant infusion of funding for affordable housing in our state, and I’m eager to see how these investments will spur growth in our communities and bring security for our families.”

The awarded projects are:

Capital Region

$6.8 million for SCAP Campus Apartments in Schenectady – Construction of a 60-unit affordable and supportive housing development. The project is planned to be co-located with a separate childcare and family resource center. Developed by DePaul.

$7.5 million for Excelsior Apartments in Saratoga Springs – Construction of a 50-unit affordable and supportive housing project. The project will include on-site solar funded through the Multifamily Solar Program. Developed by Beacon Communities.

$9.6 million for The Finley in Saratoga Springs – Construction of a 71-unit affordable and supportive housing development. The project includes a community building with amenities and offices for on-site services. Developed by Rise Housing and Support Services.

An air quality alert was issued for most of the capital region, including Saratoga County after Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) monitors picked up increased levels of Fine Particulate Matter (PM). 

The alert was issued on February 18 and at time of publication, it was set to expire at midnight. It covered much of the state — from the New York City Metro area up to the Capital Region. 

The air quality was listed at 139 by the EPA, making it unhealthy for sensitive groups. The main pollutant listed by both the EPA and DEC was fine particle matter, defined by DEC as any matter that is 2.5 microns or less. Monitors detected this level to be around 115 parts per million. 

Due to the reduced air quality, the DEC recommended those with health conditions, children and the elderly postpone outdoor activities while the alert was in effect. According to the DEC, increased levels of fine particle matter can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

It’s unclear what caused the increase in fine particle matter. Past air quality alerts in the area have come due to Canadian wildfires. 

A Corinth man has been arrested for armed robbery after he threatened two people at knifepoint. 

James Sheil, 35, of Corinth was arrested on Feb. 17 by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office in the Town of Wilton. Sheil is charged with felony first degree robbery, felony fourth degree grand larceny, two counts of second-degree menacing, fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon and petit larceny. 

 According to the Sheriff’s Office, Shiel is alleged to have threatened two people with a knife in order to rob them. During the robbery, he struggled with one of the victims and cut their wallet out of their sweater pocket using a pair of scissors. The wallet contained a credit card and cash. 

Shiel was arraigned in the Wilton Town Court and placed in the Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings.