News Staff

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $100 million in State funding has been released to support the renewal of State roadways impacted by extreme weather. The funding supports repaving projects at 64 locations, totaling almost 520 lane miles of pavement. The money includes $1.9 million to resurface Route 67 from Route 9 to Mechanicville City Line in the Towns of Stillwater and Malta.

Chaos erupts in a Saratoga Springs city council meeting Tuesday night, prompting officials to abruptly adjourn and reschedule.
WRGB reports during the meeting, people began yelling at one speaker to sit down and that began a yelling match. Police showed up at which point some members of Saratoga Black Lives Matter demanded council address the death of Tyre Nichols and police brutality. It’s unclear when the meeting will be rescheduled.

A new tool in Saratoga County could help the community with opioid education. According to WNYT, the county unveiled a real-time substance use surveillance dashboard on Tuesday. It uses data from law enforcement, health care, mental health and public health to provide a comprehensive picture of substance use in the county. It will also allow for a faster identification of patterns like a spike in drug use in limited areas at certain times.

The Ballston Spa Central School District (CSD) Board of Education recently announced Dr. Gianleo Duca as the new Superintendent of Schools. According to the Saratogian, he most recently been serving as Interim Superintendent after being appointed in Sept. 2022. Over the last nine months, the Board reviewed several options and came to the conclusion that the best path forward is to select a leader with an established relationship with many district stakeholders and a proven track record of success within the District.

Saratoga Mayor Ron Kim delivered his second State of the City address, reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments and looking ahead to the future. The Saratogian reports Kim talked about City Council meeting the goals he had set last year to create a community focused on transparency, accountability, and infrastructure. He described budget plans and project proposals that were easily available to the public, noting how every City Commissioner was on board with his goals.

Two men are accused of shoplifting and having drugs on them. WNYT reports 26-year-old Dylan Donaldson and 37-year-old Jack Frazier were in a car in Cohoes that was connected to shoplifting at the Walmart in Halfmoon. Police say they found glass smoking devices that had drug residue and the pair are facing drug charges and were issued appearance tickets.

On February 1, 2023, State Police of Saratoga arrested Joel M. Burgess, 43, of Greenfield, NY, for Driving While Intoxicated and Ability Impaired by Drugs, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, and other counts.
On February 1 at about 2:29 a.m. Troopers observed a vehicle on Geyser Road in Milton and when the driver, later identified as Burgess, attempted to turn onto Stone Church Road, he exited the roadway struck a utility pole then a nearby home. Burgess then exited the vehicle and fled into the woods. He was eventually taken into custody.

SPAC has announced the return of its resident companies – New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra – to their summer home in Saratoga Springs for a season that will feature masterworks alongside SPAC premieres and debuts. The Saratogian reports New York City Ballet returns with the full company from July 18 to 22, The company will present four programs including “NYCB On and Off Stage,” hosted by dancers for a unique behind-the-curtain experience featuring excerpts from the week’s ballets.

A man was found guilty Thursday of all counts in a child rape case in Saratoga County. WNYT reports Nathaniel Bradford raped two girls, younger than 11 in Greenfield and Saratoga over several years. Bradford faces up to life in prison when he’s sentenced in April.

Mayor Ron Kim will deliver the State of City Address for Saratoga Springs at 6 pm on February 3, 2023 from the third floor Music Hall in City Hall. Congressman Paul Tonko will join Mayor Kim to provide an update on his work in Washington for Saratogians. The address will also be livestreamed on the city’s website for those who would like to view from home.
Highlights of the address will cover accomplishments of the past year and goals for the new year.