Government, Law and Legal Services
Saratoga County has left nearly $800,000 in COVID-tracing money on the table since March, Saratoga Today is reporting. The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 15 looked to spend some of that money on PPE for residents and first-responders and to hiring more contact-tracers (the people who keep tabs on infected people and the people they have encountered).
Arts and Culture
SPAC stayed afloat during the pandemic thanks to budget cuts and community support, says a story in the Albany Business Journal. But the nonprofit that runs the amphitheater is not out of hot water yet. Another shut-down would require the venue to look more to donations than ticket sales for a second year in a row.
Entertainment and Sports
The new Winterfestival in Warren County got the go-ahead from the county board on Friday, a story in the Post-Star says. Supervisors debated whether to send $40,000 to event organizers wondering if it is safe to draw people to the Lake George area from all over the state. Moving forward won the day as supervisors believe restaurant and other business owners will push for safety with the threat of a shut-down on the backs of their minds. The Winterfestival is replacing the larger Lake George Winter Carnival this year.
Retail and eCommerce
A storefront in Saranac Lake is home to multiple nonprofit organizations including Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Play Adk, artists and a band, the Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports.
A new barbershop has opened in Wilton. Run by Wilton native Hayden Sias, the barbershop offers haircuts and neck shaves for boys and men, the Saratogian reports.
Saratoga Today has a list of food pantries and how to give or get from them.