The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Report: Battlefield adds to local economy

More than 116,000 people visited the Saratoga National Historical Park in 2024 and spent $8.2 million in the area, generating over $10.3 million of economic activity, says a story in Saratoga Today. They are basing their numbers on a park service report. Overall, the the National Park Service found that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks, including $11.1 billion in lodging alone, the story says.

“Milk with Dignity” continues

A group of migrant rights advocates posted outside the Hannaford Supermarket located at 27-41 Gansevoort Rd. in South Glens Falls Wednesday afternoon to prompt the grocery store chain to pay a premium for local milk, and thereby give dairy workers better working condition, the Post-Star writes. The “Milk with Dignity” campaign began in 2014 as a way to set standards and practices aimed at improving working conditions on the farms that supply milk to large dairy corporations. In 2017, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Holdings, Inc. became the first company to sign on, the story says.

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Haudenosaunee story of creation comes to West Stockbridge

Readers will have plenty to do in Saratoga Springs this weekend, between the book festival and concerts, but if you happen to head over to Massachusetts, you might check out performance that tells the Haudenosaunee story of creation, WAMC reports. The “Turtle Island” show in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on Friday features a giant inflatable turtle puppet, songs, and dance. The story involves Skywoman who gives birth to a daughter, and the daughter gives birth to twins, a right-handed and left-handed twin, who come to represent the push and pull of positive and negative energy and the creative forces, the story says.

Deadly BB gun accident begets a negligent homicide conviction

Brendan Carl, 26, who shot and killed his longtime friend and roommate with a BB gun last spring pleaded guilty to negligent homicide, avoiding the stricter charge of second degree manslaughter, the Times Union says. Carl admitted to killing 27-year-old Michael Collins. The guilty plea will place Carl in jail for one to three years.

Events

Saratoga Social Cycling Oktoberfest edition

Oct. 4, 1 p.m.: Saratoga Social Cycling will be hosting their first annual Oktoberfest ride, Saturday Oct. 4, with a ride from Saratoga up to Dancing Grain Brewery. Check out this cool opportunity to celebrate Autumn! No alcohol drinking required!

Congregate at 1 p.m. Whitman Brewing Company, 20 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs; leave for Dancing Grain at 1:30. It’s a 27 mile round trip ride.

Find me in Franklin Square

Oct. 4, 11 a.m.: The Saratoga Preservation Foundation is presenting a special Autumn program “Find Me in Franklin Square” hosted by Patrice Mastrianni, author of children’s book Find Me in Saratoga. This program is geared towards our city’s little preservationists and their families! This walking tour - inspired by Mastrianni’s charming book - will be centered around Saratoga Spring’s oldest residential neighborhood, Franklin Square. Meet at the dining room of Franklin Square Market at 55 Railroad Place. Prior to the tour, guests are invited to enjoy lemonade and cookies, courtesy of Franklin Square Market. Children must always be accompanied by an adult during the tour. Recommended age is 6 and older.

Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square Sunday Stroll

Oct. 5, 10:30 a.m.: Carrie Woerner, NYS Assemblywoman and former Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Director, presents “Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square” Sunday Stroll. Sponsored by Impressions of Saratoga, this tour will focus on the Franklin Square neighborhood of Saratoga Springs - the oldest residential neighborhood of Saratoga Springs. This tour meets at the NW corner of Division Street and Railroad Place. The Franklin Square neighborhood is characterized by beautiful Greek Revival houses, which became occupied by wealthy part-time and full-time residents of the city as the population grew.

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Fire choppers in Vermont. Plug Power/GE Verona caught in federal defunding. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Man charged in gunpoint theft

Jorge Gonzalez, 54, of Amsterdam has been arrested in connection with a gunpoint robbery on Grand Avenue in Saratoga Springs, police said Wednesday. He was charged with one count of first-degree robbery, police said. The Daily Gazette has the story. He is held on $75,000 bail, the story says.

Fed shutdown has local ripples

“In the Capital Region, many federally funded services considered essential — like mail delivery, air traffic control and weather forecasting — are expected to largely continue as normal,” the Times Union writes in a story about the federal government shut-down. Officials with the local Council of Governments says 6,870 work for the federal government in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan statistical area.

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Positively Saratoga

Poetry as ‘urgent’ VR? Meet Saratoga’s new Poet Laureate.

Jay Rogoff is bringing a fresh vision to the role, with a nod to history and plans for a busy slate of public events.

By Abby Tegnelia

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

[For a shareable link to this story alone, click here.]

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Saratoga’s first-ever Poet Laureate — the great Joseph Bruchac — finishes his inaugural two-year term in January, and his successor has just been named. Jay Rogoff brings years of teaching experience and a complementary sensibility — where Bruchac’s work has long been anchored in nature, Rogoff has turned to inspirations such as baseball, immigration and classical ballet. “Joe is a deeply spiritual poet of the natural world,” Rogoff says. “I grew up in New York City, and my work tends more to be of the human-made world.”

Rogoff — whose wife, Penny Jolly is a renowned art historian — retired from Skidmore in 2018 after an incredible career teaching diverse literature and writing courses (think modern poetry, Shakespeare and film adaptation). He says he misses his college students — although in his new role, he’ll soon be working with new ones of all ages.

“Poetry is an urgent kind of virtual reality,” he says. “It puts us directly into the mind of another person through creating the impression that the human being on the page is speaking directly to us.”

The Dispatch: Tell me about your own writing.

Jay Rogoff: My first published book, The Cutoff, is set in the world of minor league baseball. Other books, or sections of books, have dealt with my family’s immigrant experience, dance as both art and metaphor, the relationship between love and mortality, and even, in a book-length sequence, Paris in 1870, the year of the Franco-Prussian War, the Siege of Paris, and the ballet Coppélia. I am also extremely interested in poetic form, and a good deal of my work attempts to negotiate between form and looser rhythms.

TD: Tell me about your origin story with poetry and how you fell in love with it.

JR: I wrote my first poem at 5, soon after my father first let me play around with his typewriter (a sturdy Smith Corona portable, with a rough, brown metal case that I loved). It was a rhyming narrative called “The Last of the Gacks”—my childish imitation of Dr. Seuss. I got serious about poetry, ironically, at the Bronx High School of Science, where my English teacher, Mr. Levy, helped instill a love of it and had us all write it. In addition to the usual classics, he introduced us to Sylvia Plath (this was only a few years after her death and the publication of Ariel), and I was knocked out by what poetry could do, the powerful emotional impact it could have.

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TD: What can you share about the sorts of programs you’d like to bring in during your two years?

JR: Since the 250th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence and the Battles of Saratoga will fall during my term, I’d love to get young people thinking about the themes of freedom and of “turning points” —since the Saratoga conflicts are often called the turning point of the American Revolution — as topics for poetry.

I will give a handful of readings throughout my term, and I hope I can find some funding for other Saratoga area poets to join in them. I’d like to institute a Favorite Poem reading during April, National Poetry Month, where people can come read a poem that has special significance for them. Several area poets are skilled translators, and I’m thinking about a presentation called Found in Translation, where they can discuss the process of translating poetry from another language and share some of their work. And in addition to conducting poetry workshops, I’m toying with holding a series of Poetry Repair Shops, where I would make myself available for people to come show me a draft of a poem and see if I can help them think of ways of improving it.

Events

Saratoga Social Cycling Oktoberfest edition

Oct. 4, 1 p.m.: Saratoga Social Cycling will be hosting their first annual Oktoberfest ride, Saturday Oct. 4, with a ride from Saratoga up to Dancing Grain Brewery. Check out this cool opportunity to celebrate Autumn! No alcohol drinking required!

Congregate at 1 p.m. Whitman Brewing Company, 20 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs; leave for Dancing Grain at 1:30. It’s a 27 mile round trip ride.

Find me in Franklin Square

Oct. 4, 11 a.m.: The Saratoga Preservation Foundation is presenting a special Autumn program “Find Me in Franklin Square” hosted by Patrice Mastrianni, author of children’s book Find Me in Saratoga. This program is geared towards our city’s little preservationists and their families! This walking tour - inspired by Mastrianni’s charming book - will be centered around Saratoga Spring’s oldest residential neighborhood, Franklin Square. Meet at the dining room of Franklin Square Market at 55 Railroad Place. Prior to the tour, guests are invited to enjoy lemonade and cookies, courtesy of Franklin Square Market. Children must always be accompanied by an adult during the tour. Recommended age is 6 and older.

Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square Sunday Stroll

Oct. 5, 10:30 a.m.: Carrie Woerner, NYS Assemblywoman and former Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Director, presents “Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square” Sunday Stroll. Sponsored by Impressions of Saratoga, this tour will focus on the Franklin Square neighborhood of Saratoga Springs - the oldest residential neighborhood of Saratoga Springs. This tour meets at the NW corner of Division Street and Railroad Place. The Franklin Square neighborhood is characterized by beautiful Greek Revival houses, which became occupied by wealthy part-time and full-time residents of the city as the population grew.

October Career Fair continues

Check out the career-track events run by the county. Resume building and highlighting transferable skills training start today and tomorrow. The list of events continues throughout the month, click here for all the information.

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Ill-fated Ethan Allen tour boat disaster recalled. Taxes over 2% up in local city. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

New York, Vermont healthcare ready for climate change

New York’s and Vermont’s healthcare systems are the best-equipped in the nation to weather the impacts of climate change, according to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund and Northeastern University, WAMC is reporting. The study considered air quality, flood risk, healthcare facilities, energy efficiency, and healthcare-worker commuting emissions. Vermont was cited for its energy efficiency and clean energy technology, while New York ranked second overall with strong energy policies but facing challenges in air quality, the story says.

Structural steel fabricator expands

Sowinski Steel which makes structural steel has relocated from Mechanicville to Cohoes and now occupies a space nearly double its original size, the Albany Business Review is reporting. Not only larger, the new building had been used for industrial cleaning and chain fabrication, and so is equipped with two overhead cranes, a plus for the move, the story says.

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Former Post-Star building’s plan changes

The former Post-Star building at the corner of Lawrence and Cooper streets in Glens Falls has a new plan for residences and a cafe, the Albany Business Review is reporting. The revised proposal includes 22 rental units and a cafe. The story incorrectly says the building is two stories tall — it is not but has a very high roof to have accommodated print production of the newspaper. The original proposal would have added a second story and 10 more apartments to the building, the story says.

Former PJ’s BAR-B-QSA property sold

The former PJ’s BAR-B-QSA restaurant at Kaydeross Avenue and south Broadway in Saratoga Springs sold last week for $2.3 million, the Albany Business Review is reporting. The restaurant closed earlier this year, the story says.

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Trans Army captain on administrative leave

A transgender service member has been placed on administrative leave from his teaching position at West Point Military Academy, the Times Union is reporting. Army Capt. Gordon Herrero was hired earlier this year and then sued the Trump administration over its ban on trans military members and was placed on leave over the summer, the story says. The Supreme Court allowed the ban to remain in effect as the lawsuit makes its way through lower courts.

Events

Saratoga Social Cycling Oktoberfest edition

Oct. 4, 1 p.m.: Saratoga Social Cycling will be hosting their first annual Oktoberfest ride, Saturday Oct. 4, with a ride from Saratoga up to Dancing Grain Brewery. Check out this cool opportunity to celebrate Autumn! No alcohol drinking required!

Congregate at 1 p.m. Whitman Brewing Company, 20 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs; leave for Dancing Grain at 1:30. It’s a 27 mile round trip ride.

Find me in Franklin Square

Oct. 4, 11 a.m.: The Saratoga Preservation Foundation is presenting a special Autumn program “Find Me in Franklin Square” hosted by Patrice Mastrianni, author of children’s book Find Me in Saratoga. This program is geared towards our city’s little preservationists and their families! This walking tour - inspired by Mastrianni’s charming book - will be centered around Saratoga Spring’s oldest residential neighborhood, Franklin Square. Meet at the dining room of Franklin Square Market at 55 Railroad Place. Prior to the tour, guests are invited to enjoy lemonade and cookies, courtesy of Franklin Square Market. Children must always be accompanied by an adult during the tour. Recommended age is 6 and older.

Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square Sunday Stroll

Oct. 5, 10:30 a.m.: Carrie Woerner, NYS Assemblywoman and former Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Director, presents “Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square” Sunday Stroll. Sponsored by Impressions of Saratoga, this tour will focus on the Franklin Square neighborhood of Saratoga Springs - the oldest residential neighborhood of Saratoga Springs. This tour meets at the NW corner of Division Street and Railroad Place. The Franklin Square neighborhood is characterized by beautiful Greek Revival houses, which became occupied by wealthy part-time and full-time residents of the city as the population grew.

October Career Fair continues

Check out the career-track events run by the county. Resume building and highlighting transferable skills training start today and tomorrow. The list of events continues throughout the month, click here for all the information.

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Madigan endorsement. Opioid settlement. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Early Voting and other info.

We at the Dispatch have been busily putting together voting information for Saratoga Springs. Early voting begins in about a month, but the ballots are ready and can be requested now, if people want to mail-in or absentee vote. Click here for our regular coverage and voting information.

Late Daily Dispatch yesterday, don’t miss it!

Our Daily Dispatch — the email we send normally at about 4:30 weekdays — was sent after 5 p.m. for a number of reasons, and we fear you missed it. Here’s the link so you can see what we did yesterday.

Suspected murderer caught

Yes, this is old news. Last Friday Sept. 26, we wrote about the manhunt for suspected killer Anthony Bechand had reached 12 days, and a few hours after that Morning Call post ran, officials said they had caught him. We meant to update everyone yesterday, but missed it. Here’s the story from WAMC: 53-year-old Anthony Bechand, who is suspected of murdering his girlfriend Amanda Rodriguez, was found and arrested by State Police Franklin County. On Thursday Sept. 25, police held a press conference asking people to come forward if they knew anything, and they did, apparently, as police said the request was “instrumental” in the capture. The Times Union is reporting that Bechand pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other, lesser, charges. The judge ordered him to stay away from relatives of his alleged victim. He is being held without bail, the story says.

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EV charging in the ADKS

Finding a electric vehicle charging location in the Adirondacks can be tricky, says a story in the Adirondack Explorer. In the winter this can be particularly bad, given that the vehicle’s heater runs on the same batter(ies) that drive the car, so drivers run cold in order to conserve power. The troubles e-drivers are facing: too few fast chargers, running cold to conserve energy, finding that chargers are broken, and other problems, the story says. Major roads are doing better than smaller roads, and the smallest hamlets are the least covered, the story says.

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News

The Underground Railroad, today

The Underground Railroad Education Center in Albany received $30,000 to bolster museum studies, Albany’s ABC channel 10 is reporting. At the center, students are introduced to a wide range of job opportunities available in museums and learn about the vital role the institutions play in local communities, the story says.

Radioactive water can be discharged into the Hudson

Tritiated water — a radioactive form of water — inside the shuttered Indian Point nuclear facility in Westchester County may be discharged into the Hudson River, a federal judge ruled, according to a story in the Times Union. In ruling for the company that is decommissioning the site, the judge said New York had overstepped its authority to regulate the process, which receives federal oversight. Tritiated water contains tritium, a byproduct in nuclear reactors that can be diluted enough to avoid harm to the environment and was released into the Hudson when Inidan Point was operational, officials told the judge. Attorneys for the company said the radiation exposure from the discharge would remain well within regulated safety limits, the story says.

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McTygue family park. Senior housing expansion. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Tang’s new logo

Skidmore’s Tang museum has a new logo to go with its 25th anniversary, the Daily Gazette is reporting. The logo is a series of four rectangles arranged as stairs make up the logo that officials hope will one day be iconic for the museum. The logo is “a nod” to the staircases at the Tang, to the bricks that make up the building and to artistic proportion and size.

Civilian Review Board up and running

Saratoga Springs’ Civilian Review Board is almost ready to start work, about four years after the board was first created, the Times Union is reporting. The five-member board provides oversight of city police. They have been trained in mediation, the story says, and their first charge will be to figure out just how they will operate, and they have formed a subcommittee to work with IT staff to have a stronger presence on the city’s website.

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Targeting road salt

The state should implement road salt reduction goals. That’s a takeaway from the annual Salt Summit that brings together leaders throughout the Adirondack Park. The state Senate has twice passed legislation that would set road salt targets, but it gets no traction in the Assembly. The conflict over implementation asks if the task force or committee that would be created to oversee the targets and actions taken by municipalities is the best way to administer the program, a story in the Adirondack Explorer says.

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ORDA breaks rules, says DEC

Changing the slopes on Whiteface Mountain to accommodate a world-class downhill bike track may have violated state envionrmental guidelines, even more than previously reported, the Adirondack Explorer is reporting. The Department of Environmental Conservation has cited the Olympic Regional Development Authority saying that work crews improperly toppled trees, violated its storm water discharge permit and created pathways wider than it proposed. Starting work under a proposed, but as yet unapproved, draft was itself a violation, the story says.

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The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Chess is life

Albany resident John Oyeyemi Fawole became a chess champion at a young age in Nigeria, and in 2019, relocated to the United States, becoming an instructor at chess organizations like Charlotte Chess Center and ChessNYC. After a relocation to the Capital Region, he created the Albany Chess Center, this past June, and it has grown with Grand Masters of the game offering instruction, space to play the game, and space to read or talk about the game. Fawole told the paper that chess is like life—each decision a player makes, matters.

Man charged in murder of parents

The son of an elderly couple that had gone missing in 2017 and whose bodies were found buried in their backyard on Wednesday and Thursday has been charged with their murder, the Times Union said. He was charged after admitting to the murder in a 30-minute interview on WRGB Channel 6 news. He was arrested outside the station after the confession. Investigators had started to search for the parents after the Social Security Administration asked for a wellness check on them. The son, Lorenz Kraus, 53, had already been under investigation for financial matters, earlier stories said.

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Springs’ school heads to the Fort, again

Lake Avenue Elementary School’s fifth-grade students spent a week at camp in Fort Ann where they spent four days and three nights in the outdoors, without electronic devices, writing, bonding with kids and teachers, journaling and completing the classics of camp: archery, canoeing, hiking, and more, the Saratogian is reporting. The school has done this for about two decades and uses it as a way to offer alternative learning and to help develop student independence, the story says.

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Where ICE hangs out

Thousands of immigrants in Upstate New York have been detained in the “removal operations” run by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, and hundreds of them have been sent out-of-country, the Times Union is reporting. “ICE has regularly arrested immigrants across New York at their homes, during traffic stops, at their jobs, at immigration office appearances, and also at state prisons, local jails, police stations and probation offices,” the story says. They analyzed data from the ICE for the story. Locally: 130 ICE arrests in Albany County, 118 in Saratoga County, and 30 in both Rensselaer and Schenectady counties.

12 days and the suspect is still at large

Twelve days into a large-scale manhunt in the Adirondacks,

Police on the hunt for a man they believe killed his girlfriend in Cohoes and fled to the Adirondacks still do not have him, 12 days in, a story on the NCPR website says. They believe that suspect Anthony Bechand is wounded, but how badly they could not say. About 100 officers have searched 950 acres in the Paul Smith’s area, where his truck was found abandoned. Police believe he is still alive, the story says.

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Solar power. And how much rain did we get anyway? Paving and traffic. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Daily Gazette owner buys more

The owner and publisher of The Daily Gazette, The Recorder, The Leader-Herald, The Daily Mail and The Register-Star newspapers, has also purchased Spotlight News, a weekly news publisher in the Colonie and Delmar areas, a story in the Daily Gazette says. The Spot 518, an entertainment page, came with the purchase and will be added to the coverage that Nippertown, also owned by the Gazette, provides, the story says.

Long Island company plans food concepts locally

Two food concepts from a Long Island real estate firm are planned for the coming months in the Capital Region, a story in the Times Union says. Jack’s Deli and NeoVista Fresh Market (not affiliated with the Saratoga Springs Fresh Market), will open in the coming months, but the revival of Jack’s Oyster House, also owned by NeoVista will wait, for now, the story says.

Mixed Breed Brewing is moving

Mixed Breed Brewing is moving from Guilderland to the Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park. They had spent four years in Guilderland, a story in the Albany Business Journal says. The new ownership group of the brewery, including Lance Orcutt who owns the golf club, will spend $1 million to set up the new space but will co-locate in both locations starting in October, the story says.

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Human remains found in backyard

The remains of an elderly couple missing for eight years have been found in their backyard, where investigators have been searching with backhoes, shovels and hands, the Times Union says. The Social Security Administration initiated a welfare check on the couple and their son, who comes by the property regularly, has been implicated in financial fraud including the use of the couple’s bank account, the story says.

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Casella buys Moreau for expansion

Vermont-based Casella Waste Systems has purchased property in the Town of Moreau for future maintenance and office buildings, the Albany Business Review is reporting. The trash hauling business operates widely in New York and paid $750,000 for property on Route 9 near Northway Exit 17 and Moreau State Park. The company is publicly traded as CWST on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

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Schedule change

We have ended the test of the “Lunch Break!” email and have returned to two daily emails, The Morning Call, sent about 7:30 a.m. and the Daily Dispatch, sent around 4:30 p.m. On the weekend, we have Dish Saratoga and Positively Saratoga.

No Kimmel in the Capital Region

The Times Union is reporting that Jimmy Kimmel, the star of late night TV, was not welcomed back to ABC/WTEN, in the Capital Region. The company that owns the station, Nexstar, said, “We made a decision last week to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse,” adding that he will not come back until “all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.” The company did not offer an explanation of who the parties are. Kimmel was booted from the airwaves by ABC “indefinitely” after he accused MAGA Republicans of using the murder of Charlie Kirk of misrepresenting who the killer was, saying that the “MAGA Gang” was trying to characterize the accused murderer as “anything other than one of them” in order to score political points.

In the time since his murder on Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk has been heralded by conservatives as a voice for free speech and the First Amendment, a man who loved to debate and often said “prove me wrong” to students on college campus, encouraging them to say what they thought.

Savvy Sliders, er, slides into the area

Savvy Sliders will open on Western Ave. in Guilderland, a first for the restaurant known for burgers, chicken fingers and custard, the Albany Business Review says. The space had been a BurgerFi, which went bankrupt and was sold. The chain still exists. The BurgerFi on Broadway will reopen downtown, the story says.

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Car auction sets record, sells accused man’s assets

The Saratoga Auto Museum’s auction set a record of $800,000 for a Ferrari 458 Speciale, the Times Union is reporting. The Speciale was one of six vehicles owned by jailed Albany loan broker Kris Roglieri. His assets are being liquidated in bankruptcy proceedings. Roglieri faces federal wire fraud charges for using investment money of some clients to secure loans that never came to fruition, prosecutors have said. His other cars sold at auction, the TU says: a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, and a 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ among other autos. Last year’s auction took in $7.2 million, and this year saw more than $8 million, both were record sales.

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Events

Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m.: Civility Puppets Show with Julie Holmberg, Saratoga Springs Public Library, Dutcher Room, Co-sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

Sept. 25, 6-7:30 p.m.: Peace & Pizza, Frederick Allen Lodge #609, 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs. Join MLK Saratoga for a special version of their monthly Social Justice Social Hour. They’ll have peace-themed crafts and activities and enjoy some good trouble together, exploring how we can make peace in our world! $5 temporary membership and valid ID required.

Work on ADK trails is against regs, says group

As crews move earth to create a professional-level mountain-biking trail at Whiteface Mountain, they have violated state permit rules and perhaps the state constitution, the group Protect the Adirondacks contends. The work is paid for by the Olympic Regional Development Authority to host the first-ever downhill World Cup mountain-biking races next month, a story in the Adirondack Explorer says.

Below the fold:

Fancy cars sell at record in auction, bankruptcy. The area gets, or remains?, older. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Schedule change

We have ended the test of the “Lunch Break!” email and have returned to two daily emails, The Morning Call, sent about 7:30 a.m. and the Daily Dispatch, sent around 4:30 p.m. On the weekend, we have Dish Saratoga and Positively Saratoga.

This is very Slick(’s)

Andrew Ottati and his wife Maureen Ottati, will be opening Slick’s 1804 Tavern on the corner of Liberty and South Ferry streets in Schenectady, the Daily Gazette is reporting. Doug Slick, a guy with ties to the mob, opened the place in the early 1960s and insisted that new owners, 50 years ago, not cook food, but serve cold food only so that he would not have to smell the cooking while he lived upstairs. Hence, the restaurant is known form classic sandwiches, which will be kept while the Ottati’s add some new favorites, the story says.

Lake George hopes to garner pro fishing

Lake George will host The National Professional Fishing League next October, a story in the Post-Star says. 126 anglers will compete on the lake over a three-day period. The National Professional Fishing League, created in 2021, and is growing quickly, the story says..

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Federal Immigration Service won’t pay

One duty of New York’s county clerks is to administer the Oath of Allegiance to new citizens at naturalization ceremonies, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services used to pay, until this summer, the Times Union is reporting. The federal agency oversees immigration services nationwide. Last month, USCIS issued barred nongovernmental organizations from registering voters at naturalization ceremonies, the story says.

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Events

Sept. 23, 6-7 p.m.: Zentangle with Katie Long, Saratoga Senior Center. Zentangle is a method for drawing, which not only promotes concentration and creativity, but at the same time increases personal well-being. All adults are welcome. Pre-register by calling 518-316-9740. (Spots are limited). From MLK Saratoga.

Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m.: Civility Puppets Show with Julie Holmberg, Saratoga Springs Public Library, Dutcher Room, Co-sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

Sept. 25, 6-7:30 p.m.: Peace & Pizza, Frederick Allen Lodge #609, 69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs. Join MLK Saratoga for a special version of their monthly Social Justice Social Hour. They’ll have peace-themed crafts and activities and enjoy some good trouble together, exploring how we can make peace in our world! $5 temporary membership and valid ID required.

October, so ghost stories…

The town of Adirondac deep inside the blue line, is a ghost town, says a story in the Adirondack Explorer. Almost 200 years of visible history sits along Tahawus Road near Newcomb, though many 19th-century houses are now foundations and fireplaces. The remains of quarries, blast furnaces, water wheels and more cover the landscape there, if you know where to look, the story says.

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Schedule change

We have ended the test of the “Lunch Break!” email and have returned to two daily emails, The Morning Call, sent about 7:30 a.m. and the Daily Dispatch, sent around 4:30 p.m. On the weekend, we have Dish Saratoga and Positively Saratoga.

Hawk watch is a time to celebrate

The Helderberg Escarpment Hawk Watch takes place each September as raptors migrate and makes a comprehensive count of birds of prey moving through the area, the Daily Gazette says. The count started 20 years ago with a few people and has become a 1,500-person-strong celebration of flight. The 2025 version included local bird and conservation groups; crafts and face painting, bird demonstrations stole the show, and food and ice cream, the story says.

Drought catches up with tap water

Mechanicville residents are complaining of dark, smelly tap water that causes skin irritation and leaves dark rings on pots and pans, a story in the Times Union says. Officials are blaming the drought which has impact the city’s reservoir, but officials are assuring everyone that they are testing the water and it is safe to drink.

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News

What to do with empty schools?

At least 50 schools have closed in the Hudson Valley since 1999 as enrollment has declined, and the question is how to get those public properties into private hands and onto the tax rolls, the Times Union is reporting. The majority of the shuttered buildings have been converted into housing, private education centers, or municipal offices. The story runs through the many advantages, and disadvantages, of the old buildings.

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Older influencer dishes

The Times Union has a profile of Rose Anne Hamm and her journey into the digital spotlight as an older influencer. In 2020 her husband passed away and she was diagnosed with celiac disease at 66, and a move to her daughter’s house in Rotterdam introduced her into online content creation. Her daughter, a bra expert and social media veteran, was working with a shapewear brand that was looking for women in Hamm’s age group. Now 70, she is a “grandfluencer,” the story says.

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Fire danger rises during drought, but good news in weather. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Schedule change

We tested the “Lunch Break!” email and have found from readers that it is one email too many; ergo, we return to two daily emails, The Morning Call, sent about 7:30 a.m. and the Daily Dispatch, sent around 4:30 p.m.

Positively Saratoga

Bidding open in Motorcar Auction

Saratoga Auto Museum's 9th annual auction runs through the weekend.

By: MacKenzie Zarzycki

This exciting Positively Saratoga news is brought to you by our friends at Discover Saratoga.

The Saratoga Automobile Museum’s premier fundraising event, the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, is back for its 9th year, September 18–21 on the grounds of the Saratoga Casino Hotel. To get a behind-the-scenes look, tune into the latest episode of the Destination Saratoga: All Access podcast, where Auction Director Bil Windham and Executive Director Megan Hennessey preview what makes this year’s event so special.

The episode is streaming now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

This year’s auction features more than 250 rare and remarkable motorcars alongside 120+ pieces of automobilia and collectibles. Headliners include a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, a Ferrari 458 Speciale, and a concours-restored 1964 Pontiac GTO.

Beyond the cars, bidders will find vintage gas pumps, neon signs, and memorabilia that celebrate automotive heritage.

A Weekend of Excitement

The event kicked off Thursday, September 18, with a public preview from noon to 5 p.m., followed by the Fast Lane VIP Concert featuring Soul Session from 6–9 p.m. Bidding begins Friday at 2 p.m. and continues Saturday at 10 a.m., with a post-auction sale on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Even if you’re not bidding, the auction is a can’t-miss experience. Visitors can explore hundreds of cars up close, browse automobilia displays, and enjoy food vendors—making it a family-friendly community celebration.

How to Bid:

• In person under the auction tent

• By phone with live support from the Museum team

• Online with pre-bidding now open on Proxibid

“With over 350 consignments this year, bidders have more ways than ever to participate,” said Hennessey. “Whether you’re here in Saratoga, on the phone, or online from your living room, the excitement is the same.”

Supporting the Museum

The Saratoga Motorcar Auction is more than a celebration of cars—it is also the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support exhibitions and educational programs that highlight the innovation, history, and cultural impact of the automobile.

Event Schedule:

• Friday, Sept. 19: Auction Day 1 (2 p.m.)

• Saturday, Sept. 20: Auction Day 2 (10 a.m.)

• Sunday, Sept. 21: Post-Auction Sale (10 a.m.)

For tickets, bidder registration, or the full run list, visit saratogaautoauction.org.

Schenectady’s First Poet Laureate

Schenectady's first poet laureate, Adonis Richards, started performing spoken word poetry in 2016 and created Lucid Writers, a creative writing organization that works with local students and youth groups. He has been working on creative writing in community groups for six years, a story in the Daily Gazette says.

Events

Hot Air Balloon Fest has begun

Balloons took to the sky over Glens Falls Thursday afternoon for the start of the Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival 2025. Read the schedule, here. The festival gates open at the Warren County Airport at 3 p.m. today.

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News

Church sale falls through

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs' owns property on North Broadway that has been for sale for about a year, and the buyer pulled out after the proposal for the site failed to make it through the city’s Design Review Board, a story in the Times Union says. The DRB could not get behind the design of the building that they and Saratoga Preservation said did not fit the historic character of the North Broadway neighborhood.

Money Order fraud

A 26-year-old postal worker admitted he issued 105 money orders worth $76,976 to himself, but did not pay for them. He pleaded guilty to money order fraud on Tuesday, a story in the Times Union says.

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Proposal for Liberty Park

Veteran Capital District real estate developer Joe Nicolla says he can build offices, housing and retail spaces in Albany’s Liberty Park area, the Albany Business Review says. A different development group has proposed a stadium and 1,000 units of housing. The proposals, which have not been officially released, were submitted to the Capitalize Albany Corp, the city’s economic redevelopment authority that owns the eight acre parcel surrounding the Greyhound bus station, the story says.

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Schedule change

We have a new schedule. We tested the “Lunch Break!” email and although it is read by many people, it is also one email too many, our readership says. Starting today, we return to two daily emails, The Morning Call (this email right here) and the Daily Dispatch, sent around 4:30 p.m.

This change may bring with it some longer pieces in the Morning Call, written by the Dispatch staff, to make sure we get the stories to you as timely as possible. You can also check out our website for all of our stories and emails.

Thank you for reading, Co-editors Abby Tegnelia and Steve Thurston

Blizzard watch? Already?

Sorta. The “warm blob” is back in the northern Pacific Ocean, says a story in the Times Union. The anomaly, first recorded 10 years ago, is a huge pool of water that remains warmer longer, and in the winter that can cause high pressure and forces humidity into the atmosphere that drops on us as snow. Meteorologists out west are using “blizzard watch” and similar language to talk about our possible weather here this winter, the story says. Read more weather-related information “below the fold” at the end of this email.

Comedians visit Albany coffeeshop

Motor Oil Coffee welcomed comedians Adam Sandler and Kevin James Wednesday morning after their Tuesday night sold-out show at MVP Arena, the Times Union is reporting. The show is part of the “You’re My Best Friend” tour that features comics such as Kevin James, Kevin Nealon, and Steve Buscemi, the story says.

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Schools do not take taxes by phone

In a Facebook post, the Saratoga Springs City School District is reminding people not to give tax information or to pay taxes by phone. Payment by phone is a scam. Tax bills are sent by mail in September and may be paid online through MuniciPay, by mail, and by use of the district drop box. Credit card payments on the phone or in the school district offices are not accepted. All this information is available on the SSCSD website.

Town Clerk works second full-time job…legally

Elected Brunswick Town Clerk Rebecca Del Gaizo says a toxic work environment in the town administration pushed her to take a full-time job with the state, thereby having two full-time jobs. Legally, it is allowed. Town administrators deny the accusations of a poor environment and claim the town clerk’s office is suffering, a story in the Times Union says.

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News

Wing lovers: Schenectady’s tickets going quickly

The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. Wing Walk tickets are hot…sellers that is. Only 300 tickets remained as of Monday, the Daily Gazette says. The story features quotes from Shenendoah Briere, the former Daily Gazette reporter who now is the promotions coordinator for the DISC.

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Bonacio’s latest in Lake George. Shelters’ expansion complete. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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Stewart’s Shops, Kings win worldwide

Stewart’s Shops is a world leader in dairy production with wins from the 2025 World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin to prove it, a story in the Daily Gazette says. First place: Stewart’s eggnog and its strawberry milk. They swept the “gelato” category, taking first, second and third. King Brother’s Dairy of Schuylerville took home a prize for its PBOMG! ice cream.

SSCSD looks to school safety

The Saratoga Springs City School District “Safe School Helpline” has been great at maintaining the safety of students in the school as has a “See Something Say Something” initiative, the Daily Gazette is reporting. This came according to the presentation of the school’s safety committee to the school board earlier this week. The school system has also worked out contracts with law enforcement for school resource officers.

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The airport needs a restaurant

The restaurant planned for the Saratoga County Airport terminal did not land, the Albany Business Review writes. Restaurateur Alexi Lekkas was expected to open the airport restaurant, but has backed out citing the need to focus on his North Greenbush restaurant, staffing shortages and “skyrocketing” food prices. See our coverage of the airport renovation that created the new space for the restaurant here.

Events

Exploring Saratoga Springs’ “Gut” neighborhood

Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.: Join Alexandra Morgan for the Autumn Stroll, “Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut.” This tour will focus on Saratoga Spring’s historic “Gut” neighborhood, a culturally diverse region of the city whose success was due to the thriving Jewish community residing in the area and running businesses there. This tour meets at the northwest corner of Putnam and Spring streets at the Hathorn Spring.

Mixer at the Museum

Sept. 25, 4 - 6 p.m.: The Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the NYS Military Museum are teaming up for a special networking event at the New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs. It is open to all who support the military and veterans. Free for Veterans and Active-Duty Military personnel and “pay what you wish” for others ($10 suggested donation). Proceeds from the event’s cash bar will benefit the Friends of the NYS Military Museum. Attendees will have access to the museum's collection while enjoying refreshments. Advance registration is requested, online.

News

Proposals for Albany’s Greyhound bus area

Capitalize Albany Corp., the economic development arm of the city, has received a number of proposals to redevelop the “Liberty Park” area, home to the city’s Greyhound bus station, the Albany Business Review says. The eight-acre parcel on Broadway sits near the MVP arena and the spaghetti-like knot of highways that includes Interstate-787 and Dunn Memorial Bridge. No winner has been chosen, but investment in the project is expected to reach $500 million.

Strip club, ex-tax auditor implicated in bribery scheme

Indictments have been handed up against top executives at RCI Hospitality Holdings, a strip-club operator with a national reach, alleging they bribed a former New York Department of Taxation and Finance auditor to get out of an $8 million sales tax bill owed to New York City and the state, the state attorney general’s office announced. The Times Union has the story. The former auditor, not identified, is expected to face felony charges. The company’s executives are charged with nearly 80 counts of conspiracy, bribery, criminal tax fraud, and other crimes, according to the story. The former auditor received trips with daily spending money, the story says.

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News

Geyser Road tavern has the wings

Milton Tavern on Geyser Road in Ballston Spa, a neighborhood bar and restaurant, that has the family feel and a kids’ menu to prove it, is also a great place for wings on game night, says a review in the Daily Gazette.

Enough with the rhetoric

Gov. Kathy Hochul called for a truce in the use of incendiary political rhetoric at a bipartisan press conference Monday, the Times Union says. This comes in the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk, the conservative firebrand, and the governor’s own language that included saying that she was “at war” with Republicans (at the time, it was over Texas’ plan to redistrict mid-decade). The story also quotes Republicans, with both sides agreeing to some level of cooling.

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Shelters chief leaving

The executive director of Shelters of Saratoga, Duane Vaughn, will step down, after five years of running the nonprofit, and take a job as the commissioner of the Washington County Department of Social Services, a Times Union story says. Under his watch, the nonprofit has finished a $5 million renovation to four buildings. From West Fort Ann, he told the paper he is going to finish his career in his home county to help out there.

Events

Wellspring Pooch Parade

Sept. 20, 10 - 11 a.m.: Join us at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs for the Pooch Parade! Help raise support for Wellspring’s Safe Pet Program that ensures every member of the family is safe from abuse. Professional photos of you and your pup by Inspired Sunflower Photography. Raffles, face painting, local businesses, community walk and more. Bring your pup and come join the fun! General Admission – $25 donation – includes a ticket for 1 pup (humans free!). Wellspring is a nonprofit that works to end sexual abuse.

2025 Ndakinna Harvest Festival

Sept. 20, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Join Ndakinna Education Center for the 2025 Harvest Festival! Located just 3 miles from downtown Saratoga Springs at 23 Middle Grove Rd, Greenfield Center, the celebration will feature a traditional Haudenosaunee Opening Ceremony by Tom Sakokwenionkwas Porter. Porter (Sakokwenionkwas: “The One Who Wins”) is the founder, spokesperson and spiritual leader of the Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke (Ga na jo ha lay gay) located in Fonda, New York, and is a member of the Bear Clan of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne. The celebration will also have native vendors and food, performances by the Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers, and storytelling by Perry Ground, Ndakinna’s own James, Jesse, and Joseph Bruchac, Akwesane’s Theresa Bear Fox, and others to be announced soon. This event is fun for all ages; but be aware that space will be limited. The event has a suggested donation of $10 per adult, or $15 per family that can be paid at the door on Saturday or online through the Thursday.

News

Girls soccer: Fighting to stay on top

A story in the Daily Gazette highlights the girls soccer Blue Streaks at Saratoga High School. They are coming off a historic year last year with a deep run into the post season. The girls are looking to repeat, but the heat is on. Read more here.

National Lampoon car owners

Tom and Chrissey Dittus own three Ford Country Squire station wagons that they have tricked out to look like the “family truckster” in the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” movie of 1983. (See the Dispatch’s piece about it here.) It started in 2014 when Tom needed a cheap, roomy car, a story in the Adirondack Explorer says, and he found it in an old Ford Country Squire station wagon. Only later did he think to change the look to match the movie.

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Beers of the area

It’s a tough assignment that every reporter fears: the brewery tour. The Daily Gazette highlights the work of their regular tester, John Norris. They summarize five of his recent takes on breweries in the Schenectady area. No north county breweries are highlighted. Malta is the closest while breweries in Clifton Park, Schenectady, Glenville and Delanson get a nod.

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RPI may research if a vaccine-autism connection exists

The U.S. government may use researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to investigate if there are links between vaccines and autism, the Times Union says. RPI is expected to receive a bid-free contract to conduct the study because it has an immense database to draw from. Biomedical engineer and autism researcher Juergen Hahn will spearhead the project if it is ultimately awarded, RPI told the paper.

Gary Koch, at 75, is a “century” 46er

Gary Koch, at age 75, walked under a “arch of hiking pole swords” as he reached the summit of Whiteface Mountain, the 46th peak in the Adirondacks that he climbed for the 100th time, a story in the Times Union said. His friends in the hiking community celebrated with the poles and with Genny Cream Ale, his favorite. He is, the story says, a bit intense about his hiking, but the fact remains that he has endured: He is only the second person to hit the “century” mark of hiking.

Events

Invasive species expo

Sept. 15-16: Join us for the 2025 NYS Invasive Species Expo! This is a unique conference focusing on invasive species, and will combine classic presentations and creative use of outdoor space to appeal to a wide range of attendees. The Expo will be hosted within the unique, historic architecture of beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park and will be open to the public with no cost for general attendance. The Expo will be an immersive, hands-on experience. Monday, September 15th, and Tuesday, September 16th are the Expo Professional Days, where invasive species professionals and interested members of the public can register for presentations, workshops, field trips, and more. Click here for more information and to register.

The event kicked off Sunday Sept. 14, and the Daily Gazette has a story that gets into who went and why. The story highlights the idea that it’s a chance for laypeople to rub elbows with the professional researchers who study invasives. The conference occurs every-other year, the story says.

See It Now: Contemporary Art from the Ann and Mel Schaffer Collection

Sept. 13 - Jan. 2026: The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces See It Now: Contemporary Art from the Ann and Mel Schaffer Collection, a sweeping exhibition that celebrates art and artists brought together over five decades by Ann Schapps Schaffer ’62 and Mel Schaffer. Featuring over one hundred artworks, See It Now highlights bold and incisive artworks that grapple with the complexities of contemporary life. Free and open to the public. The Tang Museum, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Open 12 – 5 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday; Thursday 12 - 9 p.m. More information: 518-580-8080, tang.skidmore.edu.

News

Adirondack Great Camp for sale on Lake George

An Adirondack Great Camp on 14 Mile Island in Lake George is for sale, the Albany Business Review is reporting. $10.8 million is the asking price for the property at the southern end of the Narrows on the lake. The four-acre property covers about 2,600 feet of lakeshore along the island’s southern side. Sellers are looking for a buyer who will continue the restoration work.

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New mall owner’s bonus

The new owners of the Aviation Mall in the Town of Queensbury need to increase occupancy at the mall that is about 15% empty, the Albany Business Review says. A real estate investor bought the mall at auction, Wednesday. In 2021, the town rezoned the mall property, allowing for residential development and other activities on the property. It’s a “bonus” potential on the property, the owner said.

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Dems target county council member

Where does Albany County Legislator Beroro Efekoro actually live? The Albany County Attorney’s office tracked him to find out, an outline of the surveillance report in the Times Union says. The lawmaker maintains that he lives in an apartment in his district, while also owning a “primary residence” outside the district. He maintains the investigation is a hit job after he bucked the Democratic Party and he has done nothing wrong.

County considers animal abuser registration

After recent incidences of animal abuse in Saratoga County, lawmakers may create an animal abuser registry that would list a person’s name and address if they were convicted of animal abuse, the Times Union is reporting. Four Capital District counties already have similar legislation. People on the list may not adopt or purchase animals.

Events

Sept. 13: Front Porch Music Fest

Saturday Sept. 13, 1-4 p.m.: The annual Spring Street, Front Porch Music Fest.

Spring Street's neighbors invite you to enjoy the acoustic sounds of some of Saratoga's favorite local musicians while you stroll our street (closed to traffic between Court and Nelson) for our 6th Annual FRONT PORCH MUSIC FEST -- cuz there's just nothin' better than MUSIC to connect people and spread good vibes!!

Free & Open to the Public. Rain Date: Sunday Sep. 14. Read more and get their flier with full details on their Facebook page, here.

Library’s 75th

Oct. 24: This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Saratoga Springs Public Library — and the Friends of the Saratoga Springs library group is partnering with the library to fête this special occasion.

The Diamond Jubilee Celebration on Oct. 24 will go down inside the library after hours — a first for the library — and will be a 50's-themed party with live music, a cash bar, specialty cocktail samples, lite bites, a lavish dessert table, and a raffle. They are encouraging guests to come in 1950's attire.

For more information and to buy tickets, click here.

BOCES campus construction

A new campus for the BOCES that serves the North Country will start construction this fall in Wilton. The three-buildings campus will bring WSWHE BOCES' instructional programs onto one campus with construction expected to end in time for the 2027 fall semester, a story in the Albany Business Review says.

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Mall sold at auction

Aviation Mall in Queensbury was sold to a New York City real estate investor who already owned the mortgage on the building, the Albany Business Review says. Rockland County real estate investor Ariel “Eric” Jacobov, president at Concord Capital New York, purchased the building at auction for $21 million. He told the paper that he is looking to bring in new tenants and increase visibility, the story says.

Wilton man recalls 9/11

Lawrence White of Wilton recalls his story of September 11, 2001 in a story with the Daily Gazette. He recalls sickness and hope in a story about his healthcare and recovery and his work as a professional artist.

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Events

“Caffe Lena @ SPAC”

Oct. 4, 12-5:30 p.m.: “Caffè Lena @ SPAC” Returns for a free one day festival on the Charles R. Wood Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The festival will feature five bands that explore roots, global, bluegrass, pop, and indie-folk music including Misty Blues, Tom Chapin, Chatham County Line, Farah Siraj, and Aleksi Campagne. The festival highlights a unique, ongoing collaboration between the arts center and the folk music venue. Guests are welcome to bring in food, drink, blankets and lawn chairs for the concerts. Food concessions will also be available. The concerts will take place rain or shine. Visit spac.org and caffelena.org for details.

Kites and Lites for Peace!

Sept. 21, 1 - 3 p.m: Join in Community Kite & Lantern making with space to fly and shine light. All in support of peace, respect, equality, justice and diversity. Bring your own kite or make/decorate a kite or lantern onsite with your own or supplied materials. Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville, County Road 42 off of State Highway 4. Lanterns can return the next evening, Mon. Sept. 22, to be placed along the Hudson Crossing Park Labyrinth Path in conjunction with the Autumn Equinox Frame Drumming Workshop + Song Circle Celebration. Sponsored by Saratoga Immigration Coalition, Create Community Studios, & Hudson Crossing Park (Cty Rd. 42 off of State Hwy 4, Schuylerville). Click here for more information.

Cohoes restaurateur branches out

The owners of the Daisy Bar and Kitchen in Cohoes are trying something new: Coffee. This, according to a story in the Albany Business Review. Rob and Ally Tario, the married team behind the business, have created a dual-use space inside the well-known night spot. In the morning, the space opens as a full-service cafe, and in the afternoon it closes and reopens as the restaurant and bar, the story says.

Rouse’s Point Port of Entry rebuild begins soon

Murnane Building Contractors of Plattsburgh will build a $48 million land port of entry in northern Clinton County, on Rouses Point near the Canadian border, NCPR says. The federal government is paying for the construction. The expectation is that the new port will serve as a passenger rail crossing point, improve border security and improve the federal inspection operations. The current port of entry is the only one nationwide “where rail, pedestrian and vehicular inspections are performed in the same location,” the story says.

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Non-NY residents get $1.2B in state healthcare

New York may have improperly paid $1.2 billion in Medicaid managed care payments for people who live out of state, according to a Times Union story that highlights a recent Comptroller’s office report. The audit found that the state health department may not have vetted the addresses of all the people who were covered by Medicaid payments. States may not legally pay Medicaid for nonresidents, the story says.

Hospitality workers feted in annual event

The Post-Star has a story about the fourth annual Warren County Summer Workforce Celebration, held Monday. The event highlights the local workforce in the nearly $1 billion hospitality industry. The event had taken place at the Six Flags Great Escape, recently sold, so this year festival went on a Lake George cruise aboard the Lac du Saint Sacrement.

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Singlecut North’s new digs

Singlecut Beersmiths’ in Clifton Park has taken up it northern residency in a warehouse known for brewing beer, the Daily Gazette says. The site was once home to Shmaltz Brewing Company, which sold to Singlecut in 2018. The story gives a rundown of their brew offerings, many in the IPA line and above 6% alcohol, the story says.

Will concrete plant harm the trout?

A proposal to build a concrete plant near the Dwaas Kill has raised concerns for some residents and conservation groups, the Times Union says. They worry the facility could damage the trout stream that is “impaired” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bonded Concrete of Colonie is looking to build a full plant with an aggregate bin system, a conveyor belt, silos and more, the story says. Clemente said the project is fully compliant. Neighbors worry about dust and runoff, the story says.

Coca-Cola plant in Saratoga County

Coca-Cola may move a distribution facility from Albany County to Halfmoon in Saratoga County. The move would put 140 jobs in Saratoga rather than in Colonie. The $48 million project to build a new facility is in front of the Saratoga County Industrial Development Authority, a story in the Albany Business Review says.

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Hochul on Northern Border safety. The electric mandate and housing development. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

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Will state elections move to even years?

Critics of New York’s law that would change election day from odd to even years have had their day in court, or at least in a hearing before the state’s highest court, the Times Union says. The change of year would align the local elections with the state and national elections. It is a move that would mean local elections would be lost in the tide of larger, national issues, and it would be expected to help the Democratic Party in the state. Petitioners fighting against the change say it violates the state constitution’s Home Rule protections for local autonomy, the story says. The story covers Monday’s time in the hearing and the Constitutional challenge before the court.

1st African-American astronaut-pilot to speak

Sian Proctor, the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft, will speak at a Union College forum on Friday, part of the annual Feigenbaum Forum on Innovation and Creativity. Proctor piloted the Inspiration4 spacecraft in 2021 on the first all-civilian orbital mission to space, a story in the Daily Gazette says. Proctor is a scientist and geology professor at South Mountain Community College. “EarthLight: Exploring the Intersection of Art, Science and Engineering for Earth and Beyond,” will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday in the Nott Memorial building on Union College’s campus. It is free and open to the public.

End of the season

Stella’s Creamery and Cakes will serve up its last of the season on Sunday, Sept. 28, according to a story in the Daily Gazette. Other places that are shuttering: Martha’s Dandee Creme in Queensbury, Sept. 13; mini-golf and ice cream shop Pirate’s Hide-Out in Watford, Sept. 13. Poppy’s Ice Cream, Sept. 28.

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Police and drunk driving

New York State Police records show that at least 17 cases from 2013 to 2023, state police officers did not take basic steps to confirm if their fellow officers had driven drunk, despite significant indications that they had, a story in the Times Union says. They drew some of their data from investigations by the New York Times and New York Focus. Drunken driving by state police could be treated as a human resources issue, not a crime, the story says. One officer clearly drunk at the scene of his own accident, was not charged and later was awarded Erie County’s DWI enforcement award, the story says.

Hot Crispy Oil buys plant

Albany-based Hot Crispy Oil has purchased a warehouse, at 24 Thacher St. in Albany, behind the Nine Pin Cider Works, a story in the Albany Business Review says. HCO founder John Trimble and a silent partner paid $475,000 for the property. Trimble told the news outlet that his former location was too close to defunct Central Warehouse, and he did not want to be near that location when demolition of it started.

Below the fold:

Tax exemptions lowered. Dem’s town hall draws large crowd in North Country district. Turbulence in boat sales. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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The future of daily news in the Spa City, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Saratoga Springs “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets in the area.

Click here to get a shareable link to Saratoga Springs’ Morning Call email or to read it in your browser.

Bittersweet Candy is a nod to hard work

In a question-and-answer style story, the Daily Gazette spoke with the owner of Bittersweet Candy who said the name for her store, where she makes her own candy, comes from closing an early version of the store, despite hard work. “It was bittersweet because it was soul-crushing to work as hard as you physically can and not succeed,” owner Heather Lent tells the newspaper. Business got better as she moved from the Poughkeepsie area to Jay Street in Troy, the story says.

Saratoga Springs Showcase of Homes, 29th year

Tickets for the 2025 Saratoga Showcase of Homes, are now on sale, organizers report. This event is celebrating 29 years. Tickets for the event — $25 for 13 locations on Oct. 4-5, and Oct. 11-12 — are available at all Adirondack Trust branch locations, Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa and Queensbury, Arrow Bank on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Roohan Realty on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Rebuilding Together ReShop in Ballston Spa and Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fort Edward. Tickets are also available at any showcase home during tour hours of 10 a.m. to – 4 p.m. or can be purchased online. Ticket holders receive a FREE shoe/tote bag at the first home visited while supplies last. Thee showcase highlights new construction by local builders in the Saratoga Builders Association and has raised over $1.5 million dollars for two local charities: Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

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Your pix and paintings could win

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is looking for your pictures or paintings of trees for their annual arbor day poster contest, the department said in an press release last week. The winner will be featured in next year’s poster. Submissions should reflect this year’s theme: “Trees for the Future.” The images capture the connections between people and trees, the importance of planting trees for future generations, and the role of trees in providing resilience in a changing climate. DEC will accept submissions on behalf of the New York State Arbor Day Committee through Nov. 30, 2025. Entries must feature trees growing within New York State, be of acceptable image resolution, and are limited to one per person. To enter, read the complete contest rules and submit entries using the online submission form.

Golfing Fundraiser for former Nisky grad

Golfers will be hitting the links in the third annual Frank A. LaMalfa Golf Memorial golf tournament this month to pay tribute to the late Niskayuna High School grad, the Daily Gazette is reporting. The funds raised will help the Blatnick Park little league baseball fields or for college scholarships in LaMalfa’s name. The first two editions of the charity golf outing raised approximately $50,000. LaMalfa, then-41, died in 2021 after a brief battle with drug addiction, the story says.

Below the fold:

County sheriff says goodbye to one of its own over the weekend. Drought. Plus, Weather, traffic, stocks…

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