News Staff

A group that previously advocated for fair short-term rental regulations is in support of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County seeking to increase its occupancy tax collection. The Daily Gazette reports the county is seeking to increase its occupancy tax collection from 1% up to 3%, while the city is seeking an additional 1% increase for a total of 6%. As part of the change, the county will remove language that would have prevented it from applying an occupancy tax on rentals of four units or less.

Glens Falls Police arrested a 50-year-old man on Friday after he allegedly hit a Pizza Jerks employee. Police said Keith M. Kilgallon is charged with second-degree assault and assaulting a retail worker. WTEN reports the suspect left the shop after the fight, but officers located, identified, and arrested Kilgallon. Kilgallon was held pending his arraignment.

Connecting residents with local nonprofits through acts of service is the goal of a new initiative in Saratoga County. WNYT reports the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is introducing an expanded Pitch-In initiative. Built on the belief that small acts of kindness lead to big changes, this initiative hopes to make Saratoga County a brighter, stronger, and more connected place to live through volunteerism

Governor Kathy Hochul warned New York consumers Sunday of E-ZPass text message scams. WRGB reports consumers have reported receiving SMS text messages attempting to collect tolls. These fake texts are often sent from an international number and request the consumer to reply with “Y” to receive a link and contain an unofficial website. Consumers should be aware that E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail will never send a text or email requesting sensitive personal information.

The Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters will face off against the Worcester Fire Department in a benefit hockey game in March. WTEN reports proceeds from the Conquering Kids Cancer match, which will take place on March 16, will go towards the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

State Supreme Court Judge Jim Walsh ruled on Friday that a number of the write-in ballots for democrat Hank Kuczynski should not be counted. WNYT reports Judge Walsh says it is for a variety of reasons, including the way the write-in ballots were filled out. The ruling means republican Chuck Marshall will win the race for DPW Commissioner.

Chad Nichols of Ballston Spa was sentenced on Thursday in a scam case. Nichols, 47, pleaded guilty to multiple charges in December 2024. WTEN reports Nichols was hired for several home improvement projects by a homeowner in Guilderland in the spring of 2023. Despite starting the renovations, it was determined during the investigation that he never completed the work, and defrauded the victim out of more than $84,000 in payments over several months.

Stewart’s Shops is selling five of its locations. This comes after the company acquired 45 stores from the Jolley Associates convenience store chain in December. WTEN reports two of the stores being sold are in Queensbury.

A Halfmoon man arrested twice last year on theft charges is now accused of damaging property at a Clifton Park business. WNYT reports 19 year old Caleb S. Dejong allegedly damaged a window, deadbolt and a door frame at the Firestone on Oct. 29th. Police say Dejong’s fingerprint was found at the scene, according to investigators.

A proposal to close bars earlier depending on the time of year is being weighed by Saratoga County supervisors, with some expressing support for closing earlier than the current 4 a.m. time. According to the Daily Gazette, the discussion within the county Law and Finance Committee meeting, comes after years of debate in the Spa City over closure times and at least four requests to the county to change it.