Uncategorized

A special election is happening later this month to decide the new Saratoga Springs commissioner of public works. This is to fill the vacancy left behind by former Commissioner of Public Works Jason Golub. Polls will be open in the city on Jan. 28 from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., but you can get your votes in ahead of time with early voting at the Saratoga Springs Rec Center January 18 through January 26.

Fire badly damaged a home at 107 Gilbert Road in Saratoga Springs on Monday, forcing two people from the home. The fire broke out late Monday morning. About 30 firefighters from Saratoga Springs and the Malta Ridge/Round Lake fire departments quickly extinguished the blaze. “The residents are fine and no injuries but significant damage to the structure. The cause was electrical, according to the fire chief.

A Saratoga Springs Police officer was hurt after a drunk driver crashed into his vehicle January 5 at the intersection of Route 9N and Kirby Road. Officer Quinn Leffler was directing traffic away from a personal injury crash when John Bidonde, 21, of Porter Corners, hit the police car. He was charged with reckless endangerment, assault, DWI aggravated DWI, and several other infractions. He is due in Saratoga Springs City Court on Jan. 23.

The South Glens Falls Police Department reported the arrest of a Wilton man in connection to a sex crime investigation involving a minor. Timothy Griffin, 35, is facing numerous felony charges. WTEN reports
Griffin is accused of sexually abusing a ten-year-old girl who was reportedly familiar with him back in 2023. He was indicted by a grand jury in December.

Two local banking institutions are uniting, under a new brand. WNYT reports Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company has unified with its affiliate bank, Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.
The resulting bank has legally changed its name to Arrow Bank National Association, or Arrow Bank.

Chuck Marshall announced his campaign for Saratoga Springs commissioner of public works on Thursday. The race is part of a special election, scheduled for Jan. 28. Early voting starts on Jan. 18. WNYT reports
Marshall, who works at the corporate level of Stewart’s, made the announcement at Saratoga City Tavern, with local, county, and state elected officials there.

The family of the little girl kidnapped from Moreau Lake State Park will ask the governor tomorrow for a new law to protect children who’ve been victimized. WNYT reports the Sena Family of Saratoga County is teaming up with two state legislators calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to add new protections for young survivors.

Skidmore College will be hosting the annual American Culinary Federation Competition on Friday. Chefs from six different states will compete. WTEN reports chefs will have to prepare a three-course menu and buffet platter by using the ingredients provided to them. The teams will have an hour and a half to develop their menus and several hours to prepare and serve their dishes.

A Greenfield man pleaded guilty on January 7 to numerous charges in a firearm case. Joseph Samascott, 49, was arrested back in March 2024. WTEN reports as part of his plea, Samascott admitted to having two loaded assault rifles and six high-capacity magazines in his car while trying to leave his Porter Corners home in Greenfield.

A Liberian national previously living in Saratoga Springs was sentenced on Wednesday to 21 months in prison for illegally possessing guns. WNYT reports Mana Sambola had previously pleaded guilty in federal court. Sambola was arrested after a search of his apartment on May 22, 2023 found a Glock pistol and AM15 rifle along with four boxes of ammunition.