News Staff

In December, Sophia Eckardt of Saratoga County represented her country in South Africa for the International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup. Sophia, along with her teammates, took home the gold medal for the U.S. three-gaited team. The 19-year-old athlete has been riding at Rolling Oaks in Gansevoort since she was seven.

A Schenectady man is facing charges in connection with Saturday’s shooting in Halfmoon. WNYT reports it happened just after 11 a.m. in the area of the Morris Pipe & Supply Co. 25 year old Justin P. Wagner allegedly fired a rifle at a man. Wagner left the scene in a vehicle and was caught by sheriff’s deputies on Route 146 near Moe Road. Wagner was charged with attempted murder, criminal use of a firearm, and other counts.

A Saratoga County couple rang in the New Year with the birth of their first child. Baby Liam was eager to arrive – coming into the world 20 seconds after the clock struck midnight at St. Peter’s Hospital. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. Liam joins proud parents, Kate M. and Rob. Congratulations to the family!

It’s a new year and maybe it’s a new you. But up at Lake George it’s their same old annual event. Lake George’s Annual Polar Plunge, First Day tradition has been around since 1973. Its where hundreds of revelers hit the beach to brave the frigid waters. This year’s plunge memoralized Casey Frankoski, one of the New York National Guard pilots that died in a helicopter crash on the U.S. Mexico border last year.

Saratoga County officials have announced that its Department of Health will begin permit and enforcement operations for restaurants and mobile food service trucks. DOH will send each restaurant a new permit that replaces their New York State Department of Health permit. The new permit is free and is valid for the same period as the restaurant’s current permit.

A Request for Proposal has been issued by the city seeking sealed bids for Pedestrian Safety Improvements at Crescent Avenue near Waterfront Park, and at West Avenue near Pitney Farms, with work to take place from April through November. The work includes the construction and installation of traffic control devices and foundations. Sealed bids are due by Jan. 28, at which time they will be publicly opened and read.

Jim R. Davis begins his career as Saratoga’s next county judge. The Daily Gazette reports
Davis, 54, was previously a state Deputy Inspector General but won the county judgeship in November to replace Murphy who will now begin a career at Behan Communications.

A footbridge in Clifton Park is closed for a replacement project. WTEN reports the bridge brings pedestrians over a trail between Oakhurst Court in Park Lane and Chillmark Turn in Brookhaven. The footbridge will be closed for about two weeks.

Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo is not seeking re-election Zurlo told WNYT that he informed his deputies on Thursday that he will not seek another term at the end of this year. Zurlo, who is 70, has served three four-year-terms as sheriff. Before that, he was an investigator. He has served in law enforcement for 48 years.

It’s a new year and maybe it’s a new you. But up at Lake George it’s their same old annual event. Lake George’s Annual Polar Plunge, First Day tradition has been around since 1973. WTEN reports this year’s plunge brought out Casey Frankoski’s family. She’s one of the New York National Guard pilots that died in a helicopter crash on the U.S. Mexico border last year.