Ballston Spa News

National Grid is working to restore power to residents in Saratoga County after mass outages hit there late this morning.

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All natural, organic soft baked microwavable dog treats in Carob Cherry Brownie and Vanilla Blueberry Blondie flavors.

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Students are trying to lasso their way into the finals at the New York State High School Rodeo competition in Ballston Spa this weekend. Students faced off in events like bareback riding, chute dragging and goat tying. The events were held at the Double M Arena.Students competed for points, hoping to make it to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Farmington, New Mexico.

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Three Saratoga County baseball teams had huge wins as the Suburban Council season wound down last week.

BH-BL’s victory over Shaker, combined with Shen’s 11-5 victory over Averill Park Friday, created a first-place tie in the Blue Division. Shaker had built a one-game lead on the Plainsmen after beating Guilderland 5-2 last Wednesday while Ballston Spa edged Shen 2-1. The win against Shen sparked something in Ballston Spa (4-7, 7-11) because the Scotties turned around and edged defending Sectional champion Guilderland 7-6 Friday. Chris Schaefer had three hits, drove in a pair of runs and scored twice, and Jordan Kaplan added an RBI double to lead Ballston Spa to the come-from-behind win. Momentum remained on the Scotties’ side Monday as they shut out Averill Park 5-0. Pitcher Jim Tino allowed only three hits to pick up the complete-game victory and helped his own cause with a double, while Schaefer added a double and a single.

Ballston Spa tried to carry its momentum through Wednesday’s game against Colonie. Any loss in the Scotties’ last three Suburban Council games will end their hopes of a .500 record and a Sectional berth.

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A state Supreme Court justice this morning gave the Saratoga County Water Authority two months to appraise some 20 parcels it hopes to condemn through eminent domain in order to complete its controversial $67 million water pipeline. An attorney for the authority, Mark Schachner, told Justice Thomas Nolan that the authority has hired Latham appraisers Alvey & DiMura to value the land on which the county hopes to lay pipe for its 26-mile pipeline from Moreau to Malta. Schachner told the court that process could be completed within 60 days, according to the Times Union in Albany.

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Packy Dollard got a second chance to make a lasting impression on the Columbia High boys' lacrosse team Thursday night.

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Elmira schools deputy superintendent Joseph Hochreiter is one of two candidates for the superintendent's job in the Ballston Spa School District, according to the The Saratogian newspaper. via Star-Gazette

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Grab a coffee , along with people across the country. Saturday, May 10 during the World Fair Trade Resource Network’s Fair Trade Coffee Break. Organized to coincide with World Fair Trade Day, the event promises to educate on the benefits fair trade products, which bypass middlemen to provide fair wages to artisans and farmers in developing countries.

The local event will be held at Mango Tree Imports, 2124 A Route 50 in Ballston Spa. Participants are asked to bring their own mugs and arrive at 2:30 for the 3 p.m. coffee break.

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The Ballston Spa Board of Education has concluded the selection process for a new Superintendent of Schools after a lengthy process that started last fall. Board of Education President, Kathleen Jarvis, announced that the Board had made a unanimous decision that Dr. Joseph Dragone, Assistant Superintendent at City School District of Albany, is the educational leader that will continue the district's current initiatives and address student achievement. The process included screening applications, interviewing candidates, various group interviews and public presentations during the last few months.

At this time, a contract is being finalized with Dr. Dragone and the Board of Education plans to appoint him to the position on May 14, 2008. He comes to the district with 15 years experience as an educator in public schools throughout the capital region. His career path includes classroom teaching, curriculum coordination, building leadership and his current responsibilities for secondary education. His doctorate was completed at SUNY Albany and his Masters and Bachelors were earned from The College of St. Rose. He currently lives with his wife in Clifton Park.

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Set the date to build it, and they will come. Hundreds of volunteers, that is. The mega playground that a group of persistent parents proposed for Kelley Park at a Village Board meeting back in September 2006 is becoming a reality. Construction of the playground will begin at 8 a.m. May 27. Completion is scheduled for June 1.

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