News Staff

The Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate Committee recently recommended Mayor Ron Kim appoint Joseph Bruchac III as Saratoga Springs’ First Poet Laureate. According to The Saratogian, the appointment and inauguration will take place during a City Council meeting Tuesday. Bruchac was born in Saratoga Springs and he has authored more than 180 books for adults and children.

Saratoga Springs Fire Fighters – Local 343 is encouraging qualified candidates to take the first steps toward becoming a firefighter. The Saratogian reports applications (and the required examination fee) are being accepted – and must be received by the Saratoga Springs Civil Service office by 1 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2023. Veterans credits are applicable and consistent with the exam announcements.

A man from Halfmoon is facing drug charges, accused of having hallucinogenic substances. State Police pulled over 35 year old Brian Ausfeldt on State Route 30A in Johnstown early Monday morning, and reportedly found illegal mushrooms and prescription drugs. Ausfeldt was ticketed and released.

The Saratoga Senior Center will host a Volunteer Fair for community members looking to learn about volunteer opportunities with the organization. According to the Saratogian, interested volunteers are welcome to visit and learn more from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the center, which is located at 5 Williams St. in Saratoga Springs. The fair will feature the center’s volunteer coordinator speaking about the various opportunities. Interested volunteers can also meet with current volunteers to learn more about specific areas.

On Monday, Jan. 16, Saratoga Casino Hotel is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive in the hotel ballroom from noon to 6 p.m. The Saratogian reports members of the local community are urged to roll up their sleeves and give blood to help patients in need. The winter months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelets to meet patient needs.

The Saratoga Springs City School District is hiring two additional school resource officers. WTEN reports the city’s board of education voted earlier in the week to approve a proposal to bring in another deputy from the county sheriff’s office and another from the city’s police department, giving the district a total of four SROs at a cost of about $220,000 for the rest of the school year.

Last year the event drew more than 1,500 visitors and Ballston Spa is now gearing up for its eighth Chocolate Fest for area restaurants, bakeries and chefs to showcase their talents. There are three categories: sweet, savory and chocolate beverage. The festival runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on February 3 in some 20 sweet spots in the downtown area.

The entire city of Mechanicville was invited to a free dinner and a chance to hear former NBA player Chris Herren speak. Herren travels all over the US sharing his story, not of stardom but of drug abuse, warning people on the dangers. WNYT reports in a room full of teenagers and their parents, he shared his struggles with drugs and talked about how it ruined his NBA career and how it affected his family.

In the Saratoga Springs City School District, the Kindergarten Registration Process for students who will be entering kindergarten in the 2023-2024 school year begins this month and the District will hold a Virtual Kindergarten Information Night on Thursday, January 12 at 6 p.m. Find a link on how to connect to the event at saratogaschools.org.

The former Rensselaer County elections commissioner pleaded guilty Wednesday to applying for absentee ballots in the names of other registered voters. 43 year old Jason Schofield, who is from Troy, admitted that in 2021 he unlawfully used the names and birthdates of voters in connection with 12 absentee ballot applications he submitted electronically to the New York State Voter Absentee Ballot Application Request Portal, according to federal prosecutors.