Saratoga County Office of Emergency Services and the county Sheriff’s Department announced that the county has begun full operational use of a multi-faceted dispatch and records management system to improve communication between emergency services departments and better serve the first responders responding to 911 calls for assistance.
The new Computer Aided Dispatch, or CAD, system was purchased through a $2 million grant secured by the County Office of Emergency Services.
The systems, developed by public safety software company CentralSquare Technologies, are the first in New York state to use CAD, as well as field-based reporting and a mobile app feature that allows first responders to receive real-time situational updates from a dispatch or command center, according to county officials. Additionally, the new state-of-the-art tool also maintains a records management system that allows responders to recall information related to a person or address they may be interacting with during an emergency response call.

The GlobalFoundries-Town of Malta Foundation has awarded 46 grants totaling $165,500 for local organizations and community projects.
Since its inception, the Foundation formed by GlobalFoundries and Malta has donated more than $1 million to the Malta community.
Following are the organizations that received grants and their respective amounts.
• Saratoga Bridges, $12,250 to complete phase III improvements of the Community Home.
• CAPTAIN Community Human Services, $5,000 to provide personal care products and clothing.

The Saratoga Builders Association will be awarding two $1,000 student scholarship in 2019.
One is the SBA Scholarship award and the second is the Bob Best Memorial Scholarship award.
The organization makes these cash scholarships available annually to students who are planning to pursue a construction industry education.
These scholarships are open to any high school senior or college undergraduate in Saratoga County who is planning to pursue a construction education at a two- or four-year accredited college or university or to students who would like to purchase tools and/or equipment for employment/career or to start a business in the construction industry.

AARP has opened applications for the 2019 AARP Community Challenge grant program to fund “quick-action” projects that spark change across the country.
Now in its third year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide work on Livable Communities. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to several thousand dollars for larger projects.
“The AARP Community Challenge helps local leaders and organizations make immediate improvements that benefit residents of all ages. With direct support from AARP, communities are able to make quick changes and inspire long-term progress,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer.

By Greg Hitchcock
Saratoga Springs-based Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service is acquiring family owned Plattsburgh Distributing, a distributor of Budweiser, Rolling Rock and energy drinks in the North Country.
Terms of the sale were undisclosed.
“It’s a great opportunity to grow our business,” Saratoga Eagle president Jeff Vukelic said. “It’s a family owned business, and we felt a lot of synergy there.”
Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service is also a family owned and operated business founded in 1933.