Weather alert. Immigration at City Council. Ballston ethics.
Angio's tariffs. Restaurants' $1M settlement.
ANNOUNCEMENT: We go mostly behind the paywall Monday July 21.
Thank you to all our readers who have made the launch of the Dispatch a wonderful success. We soft-launched June 16, and already can boast thousands of pageviews a day. Thank you!
(If only pageviews were enough…)
We are a self-owned, subscriber-based news outlet. We have pledged daily news from the Spa City 5-7 days a week, but we must find a way to pay for it — right now, a paid subscription is less than $1/week, significantly less than a cup of coffee!
Readers who buy an annual subscription by Sunday July 20 will receive a 13th MONTH added to your 12-month membership. Take advantage of this one-time offer created just for our launch!
So, join now and get 13 months for the price of 12. (We will add the month to the people who have already paid for an annual subscription, too!)
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—Steve Thurston and Abby Tegnelia, co-owners, Saratoga Dispatch
The “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets that affect Saratoga.
Yesterday, it was the air; today it’s the heat
The National Weather Service office in Albany has issued a heat advisory for eastern New York running from noon to 8 p.m. today. The temperature is projected to hit 93 degrees, but with the humidity, the temperature will feel like 95 to 100 degrees. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments, the statement says. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 9 1 1.
Spa City Council hears calls to change immigration
By Steve Thurston, Dispatch news
Temperatures rose in the city council chamber Tuesday evening as people talked immigration with the Saratoga Springs City Council, challenging the status quo of policing. “…That is, I think, a blatant violation of the idea that ICE and the Saratoga police are operating separately.” — Terry Diggory of Saratoga Immigration Coalition.
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Dan DeFederici’s smattering of Spa City news
The editor of Saratoga Report, Dan De Federicis, talks about all things Saratoga in his latest column. He talk about Siro’s and Treehouse, the Daily Gazette and us at the Dispatch (Thanks, Dan!), but his list of currently closed, small hotels is surprising.
Looking for more Saratoga Springs headlines?
Head over to our friends at SARATOGA REPORT!
Schenectady police arrest investigated
The arrest of a 14-year-old boy at
Schenectady police arrested a 14-year-old boy for resisting arrest after police saw he was holding what turned out to be an imitation gun at Schenectady County’s SummerNight concert, the Daily Gazette is reporting. Police spokesman said the case is under review.
Town of Ballston’s ethic board finds fault with councilman
Ballston Town Councilman Chuck Curtiss violated town ethics laws when he allegedly failed to publicly disclose a conflict of interest in 2021 over a property line change the town approved, a story in the Times Union says. The town’s ethics panel full board, agreed that Curtiss should pay the town $3,000 for not disclosing the sale of what had been protected property.
Who will watch the watchman?
A former state auditor’s work has come under the microscope after he was charged with stealing $400,000 from the town of Wallkill’s government, a story in the Times Union says. Thus far, investigators have not found more wrongdoing in the audits he conducted in Orange County, the story says.
Angiodynamics braces for tariffs
Latham-based AngioDynamics, with a factory in Warren County, expects to continue growing its revenue through sales of its high-tech medical products, a story in the Albany Business Review says. The company recently reported sales of $292.7 million through the fiscal year that ended May 31, and they expect growth of up to 5.9% over the next 12 months, but tariffs are expected to take up to $6 million.
At this hour: Traffic, weather and the markets
Weather
Hot and humid. High temperatures in the mid-90s, the National Weather Service’s Albany office says. The humidity is will make it feel worse. See our rundown at the top of this email.
Traffic
Google Maps shows some slow-downs on NY Route 9 near Exit 17 of Interstate-87, the Adirondack Northway. Also, southbound on I-87 north of the Twin Bridges, traffic is slowing.
Premarket trading
Mixed markets again, with stock indices off or up by small percentages, according to numbers from Marketwatch.
Restaurant group’s $1M settlement
The owner of the local Golden Grain pizzerias has reached a $1 million settlement for failing to pay overtime wages, a story in the Albany Business Review says. It settles a case brought by the U.S. Department of Labor against Pizza Capital LLC and owner Zafer Ak. The federal government alleged that employees could work 80 hours per week without getting overtime pay.
Earlier stories by Dispatch editors and staff…In Case You Missed Them…
Chow Bella celebrates 5 years with a huge new Broadway locale
The new digs make room for the addition of a crucial new service for Saratoga’s pups.
Dining meets art at the new, unique Libby Supper Club
By Abby Tegnelia, Dish Saratoga
If you’ve never been inside the storied Union Gables B&B, think regal and calming with a side of untold ghost stories. Since reservations for the Friday and Saturday night supper club evenings are made in advance — Chef Justin Daw plans to close bookings every Wednesday at noon for that weekend’s sittings — there were elegant place cards on the tables. Dinnerware was stunning (nothing too...Read more here.
Boy wins cow. Now what?
By Steve Thurston, Dispatch lifestyle
“Hey, I could win a cow,” the rising 7th Grader recalled. “Let's just try it. And then I won.” Learn what happens next.
Judge sides with GOP on legal payments
By Steve Thurston, Dispatch news
Judge stops $113,000 total payments, city regroups, mayor says. Read more here.
This moving Opening Weekend race brought tears to a stunned crowd
By Abby Tegnelia, Dispatch at the track
“Just incredible that 10 years after his passing someone still remembers …” — trainer Cherie DeVaux, in an emotional response, after the upset win. The full story is here.
What’s next for the Go Play with Your Food space?
By Steve Thurston, Dispatch news
The popular gaming cafe is gone, but we caught up with the building owner. “I’m not sure restaurant is the correct term, but…” Elizabeth Miller told us. Read more here.