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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga Springs Moves to Celebrate Juneteenth as a Holiday in 2021

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In recognition of the official emancipation of African-Americans throughout the United States, city Mayor Meg Kelly of Saratoga Springs has proposed making Juneteenth a holiday for city employees, beginning in 2021.

On June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, African-Americans across the state of Texas became aware of their emancipation and their fundamental rights as free men. This day has become known as “Juneteenth,” a day that celebrates and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and the beginning of a new era of brotherhood, acceptance, and the recognition of shared human rights no matter one’s race or heritage. 

Last week, state Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he is advancing legislation to make Juneteenth an official state holiday next year. 

“I fully support Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order,” Mayor Kelly said in a statement. “We are going to work with our unions to make Juneteenth a holiday for our employees for 2021. I am thrilled that this historically significant day is becoming more recognized across the state, country, and right here in Saratoga Springs.”   

Local Seniors Enjoy Drive-In Museum

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The residents at Prestwick Chase celebrated Father’s Day by hosting their own car show. John Rowe, director of marketing at Prestwick, said they invited individuals in the community to show off their cars to the residents at Prestwick. “It was a nice drive-in museum for the residents to come and take a look at,” Rowe said. To ensure social distancing, each car brought in was placed at minimum six-feet apart. They also hosted a golf shootout for the individuals who brought their car to the drive-in museum. Food and drinks were provided. “We wanted the residents to enjoy the cars and have a nice Father’s day,” Rowe said

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Remembers Patrol K9

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It is with the greatest sadness that the Sheriff’s Office announces the passing of their retired K9 Gunner Monday, June 22. Gunner served the citizens of our county gallantly from 2008 to 2016 as a narcotic detection and patrol K9. Rest in peace partner. End Of Watch June 21, 2020.

June 20 – June 26, 2020

POLICE

Shawn Soderberg, 45, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 20 with aggravated family offense – a felony; criminal contempt in the first-degree: violate order of protection – a felony, and three misdemeanors: stalking, aggravated harassment: communicate threat by phone, and coercion. 

Luciano Antinelli, 18, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 20 with criminal tampering, and third degree assault- both misdemeanors, and possession of a forged instrument – a felony. 

Andrew Rocco, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 17 with criminal contempt in the second-degree – a misdemeanor, and aggravated family offense – a felony. 

Kevin Savard, 43, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 18 with criminal trespass,
a misdemeanor. 

David Tenace, 52, of Schenectady, was charged June 18 in Saratoga Springs with menacing in the second-degree: weapon – a misdemeanor, and burglary in the first-degree: displays what appears to be a firearm – a felony. Tenace was arrested on a warrant. 

Kory Willis, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was cited June 17 with trespassing. 

Joseph Murray, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 14 with second degree robbery – a felony, and unlawful imprisonment – a misdemeanor. 

Justin Sherman, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 14 with second degree robbery – a felony, and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor. 

Andrea Smith, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 15 with making graffiti – a misdemeanor, and trespassing. 

Carly Premo, 37, of Clifton Park, was charged June 15 in Saratoga Springs with two misdemeanor counts of stalking in the fourth-degree.   

Angela M. Duross, 37, of Corinth, was charged June 23 with assault in the second-degree, a felony. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, in connection with a domestic incident in the village of Corinth, Duross is accused of striking a person known to her with a broom, resulting in injury to that person’s head and facial area. She was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail. 

Christina N. Pickett, 34, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 16 with operating motor vehicle impaired by drugs, aggravated DWI, child less than 16 (Leandra’s Law) and endangering the welfare of a child. She is accused of operating a motor vehicle in the town of Milton while under the influence of drugs and having had four children under the age of 16 in the vehicle with her at the time.

Richard C. Currier, II, 32, of Ballston Spa, was charged June 22 with felony DWI and aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to observe a police officer, and three driving and vehicle equipment violations, after allegedly operating his vehicle with a missing tire and striking a traffic sign in Niskayuna. He was eventually stopped on Kingsley Road in the town of Ballston, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.   

Levi J.S. Tripp, 38, of Fort Edward, was charged on a warrant for failure to report an address change as a sex offender, and sent to Warren County Jail. 

Jake I. Hodgdon, 39, of Swanton, Vermont, was charged June 15 with criminal mischief in the second-degree, and grand larceny in the fourth-degree – both felonies, and auto stripping – a misdemeanor. Hodgdon is accused of entering onto a victim’s property in the town of Malta and removing a catalytic converter from their vehicle. The victim, who was on the property at the time, observed Hodgdon on their security system and confronted him, according to State Police. Hodgdon jumped in his vehicle and fled. An arrest warrant was obtained for Hodgdon, who was located by state police in Saratoga and taken into custody. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in Malta Town Court on Aug. 13. 

SPEED WEEK

New York State Police announced that Troopers issued 24,980 total traffic tickets during the special “Speed Week” traffic enforcement campaign. “Speed Week” –  conducted from Thursday, June 11, to Wednesday, June 17 – targeted speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors, including distracted driving and violations of the Move Over Law. 

Troopers issued 13,131 tickets for speeding, 574 for distracted driving, 294 for Move Over law violations, and arrested 186 people for drunk and impaired driving. State Police also responded to 158 personal injury crashes, including three fatal crashes.

In the Capital Region specifically, 966 tickets were issued, and 20 DWI charges made. During the June 2019 Speed Week detail, State Police overall issued 25,097 total tickets, including 13,055 for speeding.

Gary Paul Willette

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gary Paul Willette, 73, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2020. Services were private. A special thanks go out to the staff of Community Hospice in Saratoga.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary’s memory to the Community Hospice. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

William H. Covell

GREENFIELD CENTER — William H. Covell passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2020. Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs. Online condolences may be made at tunisonfuneralhome.com 

Anne (Melish) Ondreyko

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Anne (Melish) Ondreyko, 94 passed away on June 22, 2020. Private services took place in Saratoga as well as a private mass of Christian burial at Saint Ambrose Parish, Endicott, NY. Burial will took place at Slovak Catholic Cemetery in Binghamton, NY. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

Rosemary (Andrews) Spring

QUEENSBURY — Rosemary (Andrews) Spring, aka GG, Rosie, left us to join her two loves on June 18, 2020: Grandpa (Earl Spring) and Annie (her fluffy companion). Memorial donations can be made to West Glens Fall Emergency Squad, 86 Luzerne Rd, Queensbury, NY 12804. Services were private. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

June 26 – July 20, 2020

Friday, July 3

Chicken BBQ
Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa
2 – 6 p.m. | Join Brookside and enjoy a delicious holiday meal and support a great cause. For over forty years SCHS has provided high quality K-12 educational programming sharing and preserving our local history. COVID 19 has impacted what we share. Please help us continue to be able to provide high quality programs for our entire community. SCHS/Brookside Museum will be selling complete, freshly made chicken barbecue dinners to go. Meals include: 1/2 chicken, baked potato, baked beans, roll, drink, and a cookie. Children’s meals come with a special Fourth of July themed Arts and Crafts goodie bag.

Fire on the Mountain
West Mountain, 59 West Mountain Rd., Queensbury
4 p.m. | There will be live music, fireworks, chairlift rides, and more. They are kicking off Phase 4 summer opening July 4th with West’s first “Music with a View” Concert Series. Entertainment One presents tribute bands ACDC – Back in Black and Beatles – Across the Pond. Note: This event will sell out. More details will come on how to buy tickets, etc. These are unprecedented times, they need your help to pull this off properly and adhere to the protocols. See more on Facebook: facebook.com/193979154012511/posts/2961152670628465?sfns=mo

Wednesday, July 8

The Peach Brothers Tour
Hewitts Garden Center, 621 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs

9 – 10:30 a.m. | Three genuine friends who enjoy working alongside each other and have a deep passion for people and peaches. The Peach Brothers are coming to a city near you with a distinct goal: Creating Memorable Experiences One Bite at A Time. They will sell their farm fresh peaches by the 25 lb. box and 10 oz. bags of mouth-watering pecans too.  For more information and other locations, visit www.thepeachbrothers.com. 

Monday, July 20

Drama Camps
Malta Community Center, 
1 Bayberry Dr., Malta
Elyse Young’s Drama Camps a GO! Town of Malta Parks and Recreation will be holding limited in-person Drama Camps this summer!  Each camp will be limited to 10 students and will follow New York State’s Department of Health Covid-19 guidelines. The first camp Fairytales and Fantasies Drama Camp is for ages 6-9 and will run from 1:30- 3 p.m., Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24. Students will play theater games, learn acting skills, rehearse, and perform on the last day! Additional camps include Acting and Performance Drama Camp (2 weeks) for ages 10-15 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., August 3-14 and Broadway Stars Drama Camp for ages 6-10 from 1 -3 p.m., August 24-28. For guidelines and registration information www.maltparksrec.com or contact Elyse Young, Artistic Director at theater@malta-town.org or 518-899-4411, ext. 305.

June 26 – July 2, 2020

Friday, June 26

Fantastic Food Truck Corral
Washington County Fairgrounds

392 Old Schuylerville Rd., Greenwich | 4 – 8 p.m.
Enjoy fair food from the comfort of your own home! Get some of your fair food favorites for takeout or curbside pickup. Each week the Washington County Fairgrounds will be posting information about the food trucks joining them as well as their menu options. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/WashingtonCountyFairNewYork

Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival Stay Home Sessions
Online via Caffe Lena’s YouTube Channel | 8 p.m.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Absolutely Live Entertainment, in partnership with Caffè Lena announce “Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions,” presented in lieu of the 2020 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival. Headlined by national artists, Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions will also feature acclaimed local musicians. The festival will be free to experience and hosted through Caffè Lena’s “Stay Home Sessions” YouTube platform. Lineup: Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. Pedrito Martinez and Chuck Lamb & Jorge Gomez. Saturday, June 27, 8 p.m. Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn and Skidmore Jazz Institute Alumni Trio. Sunday, June 28, 8 p.m. Jon Batiste and Garland Nelson’s “Reflections: A Motown Tribute Ensemble.”

Saturday, June 27

9th Annual Shred Event
Fingerpaint Parking Lot

18 Division St., Saratoga Springs | 9 – 11 a.m.
Saratoga Financial Services will be hosting the event in recognition of Earth Day! All paper will be shredded, baled, and shipped to local paper mills to be recycled for reuse. The event is free of charge, but monetary donations will be accepted to benefit the local Act With Respect Always program to help spread the “pay it forward” movement! First come, first serve. 5 box minimum. Feel free to call ahead of time. 518-584-2555.

Sunday, June 28

Slow Roll Bike Ride
Palette Cafe, 493 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m.
Pump up your tires and celebrate summer biking with an all ages slow roll on the streets of Saratoga Springs.  Helmets encouraged; masks are a must.  Hosted by Bicycle Benefits, Palette Cafe, Bikeatoga and Impressions of Saratoga on the last Sunday of EVERY month.  Ride rolls out from Palette Cafe at 10:15 a.m. sharp so roll over early to grab a bite to eat or drink.  Cruisers, road bikes, tandems welcome.  We will ride at ~10 mph for 6-8 miles and finish at Humpty Dumpty’s Ice Cream at ~12 p.m. 

Wednesday, July 1

Chicken Parmigiana Dinner
Saratoga-Wilton Elks

1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
For curbside pick up only. Call Monday and Tuesday between 10 a.m. – noon to place an order: 518-584-2585. Menu: Chicken Parmigiana, penne pasta, tossed salad, garlic toast. Dinner for two, $25 (cash only).