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Author: Jonathon Norcross

At Travers, a Filly Hopes to Make History

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

The post positions for the 2024 Grade 1 Travers Stakes. Image via the New York Racing Association (NYRA). 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thorpedo Anna, a 3-year-old filly trained by part-time Saratoga resident Kenny McPeek, will compete against the boys in the 155th running of the Travers Stakes on Saturday at the Saratoga Race Course. Should Anna prevail, she would become the first filly to win the Travers in more than a century.

Anna is undefeated thus far in 2024, earning $1.8 million in four starts. In her career, she’s won 6 of 7 starts, placing second only once. But she’ll be up against some tough competitors, including 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch.

The last filly to take the Travers was Lady Rotha in 1915, who was declared the winner when Trial by Jury was controversially disqualified.

The Travers Stakes is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. on Saturday, August 24. Those not in attendance can catch the race at home on FOX. 

What Will Happen to Snake Hill? Nonprofit Seeks Community Input

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business, Featured.

Aerial photo of Snake Hill via Saratoga PLAN/Ryan C. of Saratoga Drone.

STILLWATER — Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature), a nonprofit land trust, held an open house event at Dock Brown’s Lakeside Tavern on Tuesday to share three potential site options for Snake Hill, a 32-acre forested dome on the eastern shore of Saratoga Lake.

The hill, located in Stillwater, was purchased in December by Saratoga PLAN from Stewart’s Shops for $1 million. Now the nonprofit must decide what to do with their acquisition.

The first of the three options would be to simply preserve the land, allowing no public access. Staff would work to maintain and improve native species and biodiversity, minimize invasive species, and protect the water quality. The only human imprint would be a small parking lot that would allow staffers to access the hill.

The second option would allow limited public access to the property via pedestrian trails. Only small groups participating in Saratoga PLAN or partner programs or volunteer initiatives would be granted access to the hill. These group activities would be focused on environmental education. In addition to a small parking lot, picnic tables and a loop trail would be added to the land. This second option is the one preferred by Saratoga PLAN. 

The third option would open Snake Hill to visitors during daylight hours. Added to the property would be a parking lot, picnic tables and benches, and a loop trail. This option would result in staff being focused primarily on visitor safety and minimizing any visitor impact on the land’s species and biodiversity. Should Snake Hill become a popular destination, increased traffic and parking could become a problem, along with potential damage to the habitat caused by visitors.

“A lot of you know Snake Hill better than any of us,” said Saratoga PLAN Executive Director Rob Davies at the open house event. “You know details about this land that we don’t, and that’s why we’re here. We want to hear from you.” Regardless of what ultimately happens to Snake Hill, Davies said that the land would be protected “forever.”

Snake Hill, currently closed to the public, rises 200 feet over Saratoga Lake. It is the site of Saratoga County’s only documented rattlesnake hibernacula, hence its name. The snakes are believed to have been hunted to extinction more than 150 years ago. Snake Hill’s native name, Torwarloonda, means “hill of storm.” According to Michael Gaige, a consulting ecologist and Saratoga PLAN advisory council member, the hill’s “abundant fossils, folded layers, and relative isolation from other similar structures make it a geological anomaly.” 

Additional information about the three site options is available at SaratogaPLAN.org/snakehill. The community can also share their feedback via this web address. The deadline for submitting feedback is Friday, September 13. Saratoga PLAN said it would hold another community event in the fall once plans for Snake Hill had been further solidified.

Ballston Spa School District Proposes Changes to Bus Routes

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District’s transportation department is hoping to make its bus routes more efficient by reducing the number of stops along some routes.

According to a presentation delivered by Superintendent Gianleo Duca at an August 7 Board of Education meeting, the proposed changes for the 2024-2025 school year would reduce the number of stops on 15 to 20 routes. These reductions would result in easier routes for substitute drivers, less time spent on buses for students, and a decrease in the amount of overtime pay for mechanics who drive buses when necessary.

The reduced number of stops will result in some students having a longer walk from the bus stop to their home, but the distances will be “well within New York State regulations,” Duca said.

Local High School Implementing New Cell Phone Policy

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education, Featured.

BALLSTON LAKE — Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School will be implementing a new cell phone policy this year.

When students return to school at the end of the summer, they’ll be required to place their phones in a “rack” or cubby near the door of each classroom. Students won’t be able to access their phones during class, but they can still use their phones during lunch and in the hallway between classes.

Additionally, students will no longer be allowed to take their phones with them when they go to the bathroom. Principal Tim Brunson said that students sometimes go to the bathroom just to use their phones. He called this a “huge issue” that distracts students and decreases attendance.

“I anticipate that there will be some blowback at the start, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives,” Brunson said of the new policy at an August 5 board of education meeting. “It shows that we trust the students to use [phones] appropriately but also shows how serious we are about eliminating distractions in the classroom.”

In the event of a home or family emergency, parents are advised to call the school so that they can reach their kids during class. Brunson said that the high school’s office is always manned. In non-emergency situations, parents can use email to contact their kids.

For now, the school will allow students to wear Apple Watches during class. Brunson said that teachers will monitor students to see if these watches also become distractions.

Saratoga School District Criticized for Rehiring Kranicks

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District was criticized for rehiring cross-country and track coaches Art and Linda Kranick in a letter written on behalf of S.A.F.E. (Safe Athletics For Everyone), a group of athletes and parents concerned about their experiences with Saratoga Springs athletics programs.

“We are very disappointed in the actions of the Saratoga Springs School District’s decision to continue the employment of the Kranicks and hope that at some point the inevitable turnover of administrators will end the cycle that has supported and encouraged their behavior for 30 years,” the letter said. “Letters of support do not negate the alleged damage that has been done to other athletes, some of whom continue to suffer medical issues to this day related to their training.”

The letter, dated August 7, was written by attorney Martin J. Greenberg and addressed to Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Leticia James were cc’d.

“A school district holds the trust of the community,” the letter continued. “As such, we believe there is an implied agreement with that community to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the children which attend their schools. We believe that the Saratoga Springs School District has breached that implied agreement through its failure to provide proper oversight of its coaches in this instance. As the school district has insisted on renewing the Kranicks term as coaches once again, we hope that the school district does better with respect to oversight and holds the coaches’ feet to the fire with respect to proper coaching methods and behavior.”

Superintendent Patton told Saratoga TODAY that he does not have any concerns about the Kranicks moving forward. “I’ve been here for seven years and have gotten to know the Kranicks very well,” Patton said. He added that, in the past year, the Kranicks have met all of the athletic department’s expectations. 

In March, the results of an independent investigation stemming from claims of “a toxic culture of alleged abusive coaching” determined that the Saratoga Springs School District investigated “most, but not all” complaints made about the school’s cross-country and track and field program.

The report from the Harris Beach law firm also seemed to question the district’s decision to rehire the Kranicks, stating that “while the District received complaints regarding student athletes across multiple years concerning alleged improper conduct of the Kranicks, the District continued their annual appointment as coaches, even after they had no rights under the CBA to those appointments due to their retirements from teaching.”

When the report was released in March, Superintendent Patton said the district would conduct a second review of its athletic programs with assistance from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, review its coaches’ policies and practices, and possibly revise its Coaches Handbook. Dr. Patton also said he would recommend policy changes regarding corrective actions taken against coaches.

As both the Harris Beach report and Greenberg’s August 7 letter noted, many student-athletes and parents have spoken out in defense of the Kranicks, arguing that the coaches’ program is demanding and successful, not abusive. Dr. Patton also said that he’s received a number of messages in support of rehiring the Kranicks.

Saratoga Springs Varsity Football Schedule Released

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs High School varsity football schedule was released this week. 

All games will be played on Fridays at 7 p.m., except for the Thursday, October 10 game at Albany, which will be played at 6 p.m.

September 6 – Christian Brothers Academy (away)
September 13 – Schenectady (home)
September 20 – Queensbury (home)
September 27 – Niskayuna (home)
October 4 – Colonie (home)
October 10 – Albany (away)
October 18 – Guilderland (away)
October 25 – Shaker (home)
November 1 – Shen (away)

Saratoga Racers Hold First Exhibition Game, Unveil Jerseys

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Photo of white home jersey via the Saratoga Racers.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Racers, an American Basketball Association (ABA) team, had its first public exhibition game last Saturday in the Gavin Park gym, falling short of the Bennington Martens, 63 to 78.

The Racers only trailed by three at the end of the first quarter, then were down eight at halftime. The Martens pulled further ahead in the third quarter, forcing Saratoga to play catch-up.

As of press time, the team was scheduled to play its next scrimmage game on Thursday, August 15 at Hackett Park in Albany.

The team also unveiled its jersey designs earlier this month. Both the white home jersey and black away jersey feature the racehorse logo above a mountain design.

The Racers will kick off their inaugural season in late October, playing home games in the Saratoga Central Catholic gym.

Philadelphia Orchestra’s SPAC Residency Kicks Off With (Many) Bangs 

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in News.


Free ice cream and fireworks kicked off the Philadelphia Orchestra’s annual residency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on July 31.
Photos by Jonathon Norcross and Stefanie Waldek.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nothing says “Saratoga” like a man dressed in revolutionary war garb waiting in line for a free cone of Stewart’s ice cream. 

Such was the scene at the July 31 “Tchaikovsky Spectacular” at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), which featured fireworks, a Battles of Saratoga display, and live cannon fire accompanying the Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance of the 1812 Overture. 

The event marked the opening night of the orchestra’s annual SPAC residency. 

Saratoga Rowers Finish 9th at Paris Olympics

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Kristi Wagner competed in the women’s double sculls B final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lauren O’Connor competed in the women’s quadruple sculls B final. Photos via US Rowing.

PARIS, FRANCE — Saratoga rowers Kristi Wagner and Lauren O’Connor both finished ninth overall in their respective events at the 2024 Paris Olympics last week.

Wagner and partner Sophia Vitas took third place in the women’s double sculls B final, with a time of 6:50.74. This placed them ninth overall in double sculls.

O’Connor competed in the quadruple sculls B final, finishing third with a time of 6:31.71. Her quad team placed ninth overall as well.

Wagner and Vitas were fifth in double sculls at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. O’Connor made her Olympics debut in Paris.

Both Wagner and O’Connor are Saratoga Springs residents and members of the Saratoga Rowing Association.

Capital Region Native Joins WWE Broadcast Team

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Joe Tessitore, a sportscaster from Schenectady, will join World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) “Monday Night Raw” broadcast team as a play-by-play commentator beginning Monday, September 2. The news was announced by fellow commentator Michael Cole during WWE’s SummerSlam event on Saturday. 

“This is absolutely not the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, New York when I was a little kid seeing Chief Jay Strongbow and skipping school to go to PYX 106 parties with Big John Studd,” Tessitore reminisced during SummerSlam. 

Tessitore attended the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, and later worked at WRGB, the CBS affiliate TV station in Albany, early in his career. Since then, he’s called both boxing matches and NFL games for ESPN. He was also an announcer on “Holey Moley,” a miniature golf competition show on ABC.