News Staff

A recent split vote by the Lake George Village Board on a resolution that appointed Mayor Ray Perry as the local government’s Director of Special Events may be rescinded because a local law prohibits a village employee from holding two salaried village positions simultaneously. Sun Community News reports the topic of filling the special events post is likely to be discussed at a special joint village/town board meeting set for 4 p.m. Thursday Jan. 9 at the Lake George Town Hall.

In Saratoga, the ‘Love Our Locals $20.24’ initiative raised over $315,000 for local businesses and nonprofit organizations, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce announced Monday. WTEN reports the campaign, started in 2021, encourages local residents to support Saratoga County businesses and non-profits by spending or donating $20.24 during the end of the year.

A Glens Falls Common Council member has announced she will be running for the mayor of Glens Falls. Diana Palmer has been on the common council for seven years and represents the 3rd Ward. WTEN reports her opponent will be incumbent Mayor Bill Collins. He announced his run for re-election in December. He’s been in office since 2022.

The Deputy Commissioner of Public Works in Saratoga Springs has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. According to WNYT, Joseph O’Neill had pleaded to the charge related to a city plumber working on a relative’s home on city time. He was previously suspended for five days without pay.

A 29-year-old Clifton Park man has admitted to driving while drunk and causing a crash in Bethlehem that killed a woman. WNYT reports Matthew Monthie crossed the center line on Route 85 in Slingerlands and hit another car head on. The driver of the other car, 53 year old Shawna Marzahl, died in the crash which happened on May 1 just before 7 a.m

The investigation into that Christmas Day fire at an apartment complex in Clifton Park is still ongoing. However, the people displaced by the fire have all been relocated. WTEN reports the 32 FoxRun residents who woke up to a fire early Christmas morning have all moved into new homes. The Solomon Organization LLC says 19 of the 22 impacted units have been relocated within the complex.

Democrats in Saratoga Springs have picked Hank Kuczynski in a special election for the city’s Commissioner of Public Works position. As WNYT reported, the city is holding a special election on Jan. 28 to replace Jason Golub, who left in August. The Democratic committee is endorsing Hank Kuczynski as a write-in candidate.

A Saratoga Springs Police officer was hurt after police said a drunk driver crashed into his vehicle. WNYT reports it happened at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Route 9N and Kirby Road. The driver was arrested after a pursuit that lasted several minutes. John Bidonde, 21, of Porter Corners, was charged with reckless endangerment, assault, aggravated DWI, and other counts.

A fire Monday forced two people from a Saratoga Springs home. WNYT reports the fire broke out at 107 Gilbert Road late Monday morning. Firefighters received the call around 11:15 a.m.
About 30 firefighters from Saratoga Springs and the Malta Ridge/Round Lake fire departments responded and quickly knocked it down. The cause was electrical.

Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett was unanimously elected to a second consecutive term as chair of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. The Daily Gazette reports Barrett is currently in his 14th term as supervisor in Clifton Park, a period in which the Republican lawmaker worked to help bolster the town center business corridor and preserve 1,700 acres of property, while lowering taxes.