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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Gilbert Booth Mattson Jr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.


SARATOGA SPRINGS —Gilbert Booth Mattson Jr., 94, passed away on November 18, 2024.  Booth had a long and adventurous life filled with family, laughter and love.  He was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree and was a 1st Lieutenant in the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps.  Booth who was born in Philadelphia, worked for Scott Paper Co. for 22 yrs, and went on to own his own business designing and distributing hydraulic parts.  Booth loved bird hunting, golf, travel and his latest passion of carving wooden birds.  He will always be remembered for his quick wit and sly grin.  Booth is survived by his wife Joan Mattson, his 3 daughters Sally, Deborah, and Lynnie, his 3 stepsons John, Greg, and Don and 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  No services are planned at this time.

Week of November 29 – December 5, 2024

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

County Court 

Jamel D. Gray, 30, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced to 364 days incarceration, after pleading to felony DWI, charged June 2024 in Saratoga Springs, and 2 to 4 years incarceration after pleading to grand larceny in the fourth-degree, charged February 2024 in Ballston Spa. Sentences to run concurrently. 

George S. Tinoco, 49, of Mechanicville, was sentenced to 2 to 4 years incarceration, after pleading to burglary in the third-degree, charged January 2024 in Malta. 

Betsey M. Jablonski, 40, of Amsterdam, was sentenced to 364 days incarceration after pleading to grand larceny in the fourth-degree, charged October 2023 in Clifton Park. 

Alfred J. Hall, 42, of Gansevoort, was sentenced to 1-1/2 years incarceration, after pleading to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree, charged November 2022 in Moreau. 

Daniel H. Gudar, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 6 months incarceration/ 5 years probation after pleading to felony criminal mischief, charged December 2023 in Saratoga Springs. 

Justin A. Grabowski, 36, of Fraser, Colorado, was sentenced to 30 days incarceration/ 5 years probation after pleading to felony DWI, charged July 2024 in Saratoga Springs. 

Eugene F. Wachtel, 57, of Schenectady, was sentenced to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to grand larceny in the fourth-degree, charged June 2023 in Clifton Park. 

Luke A. Fletcher, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to an aggregate term of 2 to 6 years incarceration for 2 counts possessing a sexual performance by a child, charged May 2023 in Saratoga Springs. 

James J. Forgett, 54, of Ballston Lake, was sentenced to 5 years incarceration/ 20 years post-release supervision, after pleading to rape in the first-degree, charged summer 2018 in Clifton Park.

James D. Trudeau, 62, of Cohoes, was sentenced to 5 years probation, after pleading to misdemeanor DWI, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first-degree, charged June 2024 in Halfmoon.  

Tyrone T. Carter, 38, of Troy, was sentenced to 5 years probation, after pleading to burglary in the third-degree, charged October 2023 in Waterford. 

Jayden K. Buckmaster, 20, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced to 15 to 20 years incarceration for rape in the first-degree, and 2-1/3 to 7 years incarceration for promoting a sexual performance by a child, charged October 2022 in Greenfield. Sentences to run concurrently. 

Logan M. Andreadakis, 26, of Queensbury, was sentenced to 10 years of probation, after pleading to rape in the second-degree, charged April 2020 in Greenfield. 

Edward J. Young, 73, of Mechanicville, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to felony DWI, charged July 2024 in Malta. 

Michael S. Andrews, 28, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced to 5 years incarceration/ 2 years post-release supervision, after pleading to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree, charged May 2024 in Ballston. 

Greenfield Hosting Sip & Shop Event to Benefit Elementary School

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

PORTER CORNERS — The Town of Greenfield will hold a “Sip & Shop” event at Brookhaven Golf Course at 333 Alpine Meadows Rd. in Porter Corners from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 30. The new holiday bazaar will combine a winter market and a holiday social opportunity that is free to the public. The event will benefit the Greenfield Elementary School Home School Association, its parent teacher group.

Booths will be sprinkled around The View Restaurant, which will be transformed into a winter bazaar. There will be food and drink specials so that patrons can enjoy a snack or lunch before, during, or after they shop. The event is for all ages. Booths will feature stocking stuffers and specialty gifts including art, jewelry, artisan wood products, local food items and more. The town will sell a new “TOG: Better TOGether” apparel, as well as Brookhaven Winter Park merchandise.

Cardona’s Market Unveils New Celebrity Sandwich

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


From left to right: Cardona’s Market Chef de Cuisine Sebastian Marro, Siena Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gerry McNamara, Cardona’s Market Co-Owner and Executive Chef Robert Cardona Jr. Photo provided.

LATHAM — Cardona’s Market, which has a location in Saratoga Springs, recently unveiled its newest celebrity sandwich, the “G-Mac,” named for Siena Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gerry McNamara. McNamara took the ceremonial first bite at Cardona’s Latham location prior to the Albany Cup on November 16.

The G-Mac sandwich is a chicken cutlet tossed in Cardona’s tomato basil cream sauce, topped with field greens, sliced tomato, red onion, banana peppers, provolone, olive oil, and balsamic glaze, served on a toasted roll. Partial proceeds from all sales of the sandwich during the Siena men’s and women’s college basketball season will be donated to the Capital Region Boys and Girls Club.

“I’m flattered to receive such an appetizing welcome to the Capital Region,” McNamara said in a news release. “It’s an honor to be the namesake of this delicious sandwich, and I would like to thank Cardona’s for their recognition and support of both Siena Basketball and the Capital Region Boys and Girls Club.”

The G-Mac sandwich is available at all three Cardona’s Market locations: 340 Delaware Avenue in Albany; 9 Cobbee Road in Latham; and 222 Washington Street in Saratoga Springs.

Stewart’s Donates $200K to Saratoga Hospital

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Last month, Saratoga Hospital staffers and donors participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the hospital’s new CT Scanner. Photo provided by Saratoga Hospital/Stewart’s Shops.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s Shops recently donated $200,000 to Saratoga Hospital to help pay for a new CT Scanner that was unveiled last month.

“The hospital has done an excellent job providing quality healthcare and serving as an essential resource for Saratoga Springs and neighboring communities,” Stewart’s said in a statement.

The scanner, a Siemens Healthineers SOMATOM X.cite, will both improve the patient experience and allow the hospital to scan patients faster.

Saratoga Wine Exchange Celebrates New Ownership

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Saratoga Wine Exchange in Ballston Lake on November 13 to celebrate the company’s new owners. Photo via the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

BALLSTON LAKE — Saratoga Wine Exchange and Saratogawine.com recently celebrated their new ownership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The new owners, Matt and JoAnn Swapp, officially took over on September 30.

Matt joined Saratoga Wine Exchange in 2003 to assist in shipping and quickly rose to store manager for two years before taking nearly three years off to raise his newborn daughter. He rejoined the company in 2008, maintaining all website data and daily trade tastings.

Having previously run a residential solar company, JoAnn brings experience in marketing, logistics, and human resource management to the business. Prior to her career in the private sector, JoAnn served 22 years in the US Navy as an engineer, retiring in 2018.

Saratoga Wine Exchange is located at 43 Round Lake Road Suite #3 in Ballston Lake.

SSPF Presents: 150 Years of History & Preservation of City Residence on Dec. 3

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


“Chestwood: 150 Years of History & Preservation” celebrates at 432 Grand Ave. Circa 1885 photo provided. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday Dec. 3, “Chestwood: 150 Years of History & Preservation,” celebrates the 150th anniversary of the storied Second Empire residence located at 432 Grand Ave. 

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation virtual program will feature an introduction by local historian Carol Godette, followed by a presentation from the current homeowners, Kristi Krulcik and Marco Anichini, sharing stories about the past residents – the Slade and Snyder families; information about the architect – Gilbert Bostwick Croff, and highlighting architectural features.  

The program will take place via Zoom, with a suggested donation of $10 or more. To register, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030. All registrants will receive a Zoom link in advance, as well as access to the program recording. 

Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Springs Approves $62.6 Million Budget 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Saratoga Springs 2025 budget cost breakdown by department.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City Council on Nov. 19 voted 4-1 to approve the 2025 Proposed Budget for $62.6 million. There will be no increase in property taxes.

The 2025 budget represents a 2.12% increase from this year’s $61.29 million plan.

“The primary challenge our city faces is that rising expenses continue to outpace revenue growth. This is not unique to Saratoga Springs,” city Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi said. “Governments at both the local and state level are facing budgetary challenges. Inflation and personnel costs are key factors. I am also looking ahead to 2026, when the city will begin paying salaries for sixteen firefighters that staff our third fire station. Therefore, we approached this budget conservatively.”

The 2025 Proposed Budget includes $36.4 million for Public Safety, up approximately $340,000 increase from the 2024 Adopted Budget and a $4.1 million increase from the 2023 Adopted Budget. Public Safety made up 58% of the 2025 Proposed Budget. 

The Department of Public Works makes up 20% of the 2025 Proposed Budget, at $12.15 million, followed by the Mayor’s Department at 7.27%, the Finance Department at 7%, and then Recreation and Accounts at 5% and 3%, respectively. 

The Council also approved the use of $3.84 million in fund balance and the 2025 Proposed Capital Budget of $2.26 million – which includes the first $500,000 towards a new police department facility.  

$1.5 Billion CHIPS Award to GlobalFoundries

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WASHINGTON, DC —A massive $1.5 billion in federal funding has been awarded to GlobalFoundries to support semiconductor manufacturing. The funding — made possible by the CHIPS and Science Act that Democrats advanced two years ago — will create an estimated 10,000 construction and manufacturing jobs for the region.

Currently, there are only four companies outside of China that provide current and mature foundry capabilities at the scale of GlobalFoundries, and GlobalFoundries is the only one of those companies that is headquartered in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

“The investments in jobs, manufacturing, and innovation continue to pour into our region, thanks to the Biden-Harris Investing in America Agenda,” said Congressman Paul Tonko, who represents Saratoga in the 20th Congressional District. “I fought hard to deliver critical funding to spur our nation’s semiconductor manufacturing over the years, and I’m thrilled to see that effort paying dividends for our Capital Region communities today. This federal investment in GlobalFoundries will further strengthen our region’s leadership position in semiconductor development.”