Author: Saratoga TODAY

On December 26, 2025, State Police arrested Richard J. Marcella, 61, of Ballston, NY, for Assault 2nd and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd.

On December 26, 2025, at about 10:30 p.m., Troopers responded to a home in Ballston for the report of an altercation with a weapon. The investigation determined that Marcella was in a verbal altercation with a known neighbor when he allegedly stabbed the victim in the arm and hand with a knife. The victim was transported to Saratoga Hospital for treatment of their non-life-threatening stab wounds.

Marcella was arrested at the scene and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. He was then arraigned at the Malta Town Court, where he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail.

On December 21, 2025, State Police of Saratoga arrested Kevin R. Kelly, 35, of Ballston Spa, NY, and Nicholas J. Murtlow, 36, of Middle Grove, NY, each for:

o Burglary 2nd, a class “C” felony

o Conspiracy 4th, a class “E” felony

o Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th, a class “A” misdemeanor

o Possession of Burglar Tools, a class “A” misdemeanor

Murtlow was also charged with a vehicle and traffic law violation.

On December 21, 2025, at approximately 1:55 p.m., Troopers responded to a home on Rowland Street in Milton for reports of suspicious activity. On arrival, Murtlow and Kelly were located on the property actively removing items from a house and placing them in a vehicle. The investigation determined that neither man had permission to enter the home or to remove items that did not belong to them. Further investigation discovered a burglar tool in the vehicle the pair were using.

Murtlow and Kelly were arrested at the scene and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. Both were arraigned at the Milton Town Court. Kelly was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional facility in lieu of $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond, or a $100,000 partially secured bond. Murtlow was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional facility without bail. 

Acting Saratoga County District Attorney Jennifer L. Buckley announced that Jaiden A. Ildefonso pled guilty in the Saratoga County Court to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-1” Felony in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 125.25. 

The Defendant had been charged in connection with a fatal May 31, 2025, stabbing in suburban Ballston Lake. The 20-year-old victim, Simon Brault, had intervened in a physical altercation between his underage brother and another minor outside his home. During the group altercation, the Defendant quickly approached and stabbed Brault- piercing his aorta. The Defendant and other minor then fled the scene. 

Members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and EMTs arrived almost immediately at Brault’ s home and rushed him to the Albany Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

Investigators from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office were able to track the Defendant’s vehicle nearly 50 miles away to Schoharie County. Thanks to their training and professionalism, they were able to quickly arrive in Schoharie County, gather invaluable physical and electronic evidence, as well as take the Defendant into custody without any further issue. 

The 18-year-old Defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2026, to 15 years to Life in State Prison. At the conclusion of his State Prison sentence, he will remain under Parole Supervision for the remainder of his natural life. The Defendant will also be given Full Stay Away Orders of Protection for the maximum period of time for surviving family members.

“Our son Simon was a beautiful person and everyone who knew him will tell you how nice and kind he was,” said the victim’s father, Bernard Brault. “This tragedy is senseless. We are relieved that Jaiden has admitted his role and that he is being held accountable. Nothing will bring Simon back, but we want to thank the Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office for bringing justice.”

The Brault Family has indicated that they have started a scholarship fund at the Hudson Valley Community College in memory of their son named the “Simon Brault Memorial Second Chance Scholarship.” 

The scholarship is meant to help students that have overcome hardship and need financial aid. More information concerning the scholarship may be found at the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation’s Web site. 

The case was prosecuted by General Felony Unit Bureau Chief Joseph A. Frandino, Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle Treiling, and District Attorney Investigator Timothy Sicko.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced more than $23 million has been awarded through the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative to 15 innovative projects that will reduce statewide carbon emissions through innovative technologies and energy efficiency upgrades. 

The projects, six of which are located in disadvantaged communities, were selected by NYSERDA to participate, subject to successful execution of contracts, in the Building Cleaner Communities Competition or the Commercial and Industrial Carbon Challenge. Today’s announcement advances community and economic development across New York State while reducing energy usage, increasing comfort, and promoting cleaner air and environment.

“These innovative projects will make a significant impact across New York State by redefining how our buildings and infrastructure are designed, operated, and powered,” NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “By upgrading existing structures with energy efficient technologies and advancing clean energy construction, New York is leading our communities toward a cleaner and healthier future.”

Commercial and Industrial Carbon Challenge Awards

The Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Carbon Challenge is a competitive program that provides funding to large energy users such as manufacturers, colleges, universities, health care facilities, and office building owners in New York State to implement clean energy projects that reduce carbon emissions. Projects may utilize a combination of energy or manufacturing process efficiency strategies, carbon capture technology, low-carbon fuel utilization, renewable generation, or energy storage.

NYSERDA awarded over $5 million for two projects located in the Finger Lakes and Capital Region:

• Finger Lakes Health will implement seven greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects over the next three years at Geneva General Hospital in Geneva and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Penn Yan, replacing aging systems, improving HVAC system resilience, and reducing energy use.

• The Saratoga County Sewer District will modify existing processes at the County’s existing wastewater treatment plant to provide a long-term, cost-saving solution for biosolids management that produces renewable fuels and reduces the environmental impact of operations. 

 “Sustainable building practices are key elements in the state’s economic, energy and environmental future,”  New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said,  “Our partnership with NYSERDA on our Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the State Energy Plan is creating green buildings and projects throughout the State, and our mutual commitment to communities identified as disadvantaged further ensures that our transition to a green economy is both just and equitable.  We look forward to expanding that partnership into the future as we implement the Governor’s visionary and practical energy goals.”   

The announcement builds on the success of these two programs. Through the Building Cleaner Communities Competition, 70 projects have leveraged nearly $1.3 billion in public and private investment since 2018 to implement carbon neutral or net zero energy performance solutions. Through the C&I Carbon Challenge since 2018, NYSERDA has made awards that will cumulatively reduce 7.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of removing more than 1 million cars from the road annually.

Funding for this program was included in the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. Regional Councils reviewed projects from this program and provided scores that reflect how well a project aligns with a region’s goals and strategies. 

Applicants utilized New York’s Consolidated Funding Application, the state’s single application for state resources, which includes programs for numerous agencies. It is designed to provide expedited and streamlined access to a combined pool of grant funds and tax credits from dozens of existing programs.

The Saratoga Springs City Council voted at its November 18 meeting to remove the 2.25% discount offered for payment in full of property taxes on or before March 1. 

The decision is expected to yield over $280,000 in additional revenue for the city. The City’s Charter Commission had looked into removing the discount as part of a broader update effort. 

2026 Taxes are due on March 1st, June 1st, September 1st and December 1st. If payment falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will be the following business day. Payments may be made online at www.saratoga-springs.org, in person at City Hall, 474 Broadway, or mailed to the address below:

Commissioner of Finance 

P.O. Box 328 

Saratoga Springs 

NY 12866-0328