News Staff

A Saratoga County DEC Officer has been honored as the top wildlife conservation police officer in New York. Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Steven Shaw was awarded the Wildlife Officer of the Year Award from the Shikar-Safari Club International. WTEN rpeorts Shaw has served as an officer for 18 years in Saratoga County in DEC’s Region 5. Last year, he responded to about 300 calls for service.

The Moreau Town Board is calling for a six-month moratorium on large subdivision construction. The Post Star reports it would affect the construction of subdivisions with more than 10 houses that are located within a half-mile of an existing sewer main. Officials say it will allow more time to draft, review, and adopt necessary zoning regulations for some of the more dense developments being proposed.

The investigation into the remains of a newborn baby found in late June in Watervliet has lead to the arrest of that child’s mother. 23 year old Kyleigh Sawyer of Ballston Spa now faces charges including felony concealment of a human corpse. Sawyer was arraigned in Watervliet Criminal Court and released on her own recognizance.

At Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa Monday volunteers loaded up christmas trees on a fed ex truck so so troops have a piece of home this Christmas. WNYT reports it’s a national effort put together by the Christmas Spirit Foundation and the trees will be sent to military bases around the world. FedEx is taking the trees directly to Panama and they’ll be spread out through there.

Saratoga County is holding the following COVID-19 booster clinics: For those 65 and older; Wednesday, December 1: Moderna Booster Clinic, 9:30am-12:30pm at Saratoga County Public Health (6012 County Farm Rd, Ballston Spa)
Friday, December 3: Moderna Booster Clinic, 1:30pm-3:30pm at Saratoga County Public Health (6012 County Farm Rd, Ballston Spa) Clinics for Individuals Age 18 or Older: Friday, December 3: Moderna Booster Clinic, 9:00AM-12PM at Saratoga County Public Health (6012 County Farm Rd, Ballston Spa).

The 35th annual Victorian Streetwalk is returning to Saratoga Springs next month. The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association has extended the Streetwalk to a weekend-long event from December 2 to December 5. WTEN reports the weekend begins with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2 at 6 p.m., when Santa Claus will light the downtown holiday tree. The tree lighting ceremony will be live streamed on Facebook.

A Clifton Park man is under arrest for engaging in a criminal sexual act. WNYT reports the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office says Michael Girard attacked a person he knew earlier this week. Deputies say he tried to strangle the victim and prevent the victim from leaving the area. He faces charges of criminal sexual act, assault and unlawful imprisonment.

The cutoff date for fertilizing lawns in New York is fast approaching. It is against state law to fertilize lawns between December 1 and April 1. Some areas also have local laws about selling and using lawn fertilizers.
The NYS Nutrient Runoff Law limits the amount of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers and restricts the time of year when fertilizers can be used. The law is meant to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the state’s waters.

Police in Mechnaicville are looking for a driver involved in a hit-and-run accident that sent one person to the hospital. WNYT reports it took place around 10 Saturday morning at the intersection of Mabbett Street and North Central Avenue. Police say the car sped off, heading north on North Central Avenue after hitting a pedestrian. The vehicle is said to be a blue four-door sedan and the driver is a young woman who is white, with blonde hair.

A Waterford family is donating their tree for it to be displayed at the Empire State Plaza this holiday season. The Reesce family just bought their home a few months back and when they saw a 40 foot tall blue spruce too close to the home for comfort, they called the state Office of General Services which picked that tree to be placed on the Empire State Plaza outside the Capitol with a community tree lighting ceremony will take place on December 5.