News Staff

The city of Glens Falls expects to complete work on its $10 million transformational redevelopment of its downtown by the end of the year. The state funding was announced back in 2017, and the project is slowly starting to come to fruition. Much of it is focused along South Street. The Market Center is the centerpiece of the project. The proposed 6,000-square-foot facility will house a year-round farmers market and events.

According to the Lake George Park Commission’s Director of Law Enforcement, Lt. Joe Johns, the growing number of kayaks paddling too near the sternwheeler Minne-Ha-Ha last summer forced him to divert patrol boats to an unscheduled detail: escorting the tour boat to its pier. “It is a big safety issue,” confirmed Lt. Johns. “We were concerned we could have a fatality.”
The city of Glens Falls expects to complete work on its $10 million transformational redevelopment of its downtown by the end of the year. The state funding was announced back in 2017, and the project is slowly starting to come to fruition. Much of it is focused along South Street. The Market Center is the centerpiece of the project. The proposed 6,000-square-foot facility will house a year-round farmers market and events.

Rene G. Blanchette, 45, was stopped on Bay Road in Queensbury on March 26 around 8:20 p.m. for traffic violations, according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Blanchette was charged with DWI, upgraded to a felony because he has a previous conviction. He was also charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. Blanchette refused to provide a breath test, police said.He was held in police lockup, pending arraignment in Warren County Centralized Arraignment Court.

Hundreds of current and former correction officers from across New York State rallyed at the State Capitol, calling for major reforms in staffing, safety, and what they claim are unjust terminations. Among the chief concerns: rising violence, drug activity, and excessive mandatory overtime. Many officers also argue that the recent firing of 2,000 staff members, some on medical leave or workers’ compensation was done without due process, creating unsafe conditions for both officers and inmates.

The Saratoga Springs city school board voted 7 to 1 to reaffirm its inclusion policy Thursday night. WRGB reports the resolution came two months after the U.S. Department of Education took action to eliminate DEI initiatives. Schools were told their federal funding was at risk if their DEI initiatives were not eliminated.

Saratoga Spa State Park is getting an electric infrastructure upgrade. WNYT reports New York State Parks is giving more than $6 million to the park. The money will be used to replace outdated transformers, cables, and switches and modernize the power grid. It will also triple the electrical capacity of the park.

A Fort Edward man will be placed on probation after admitting to stealing over $40,000 from the Albany Rural Cemetery. WNYT reports 58 year old David Eslinger pleaded guilty on Thursday to grand larceny and identity theft. Authorities say he was the cemetery’s former general manager and issued extra paychecks to himself and used the organization’s credit card to pay for gas, meals and trips to Las Vegas, Walt Disney World and a gentlemen’s club in New York City.

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he was pulling Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a stunning turnaround for his Cabinet pick after her confirmation had been stalled for months over concerns about Republicans’ tight margins in the House.

Controlled burns will take place at Saratoga National Historical Park next month. The Daily Gazette reports weather permitting, the first burn could occur in early to mid April. The park may close roads, visitor facilities, parking areas and hiking trails temporarily during the burns. Notifications will be posted on the park’s website and via social media.

A Greenfield man pleaded guilty in two separate cases of felony drug possession in Saratoga County Court on Wednesday. The county DA’s office said Jason Allen, 45, was arrested for drug possession last August and October. WTEN reports in August, deputies arrested Allen for fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after finding him and another person sleeping in a car outside of a Providence home.