Members of the Saratoga Hospital team pose alongside the GE Healthcare Omni Legend PET/CT system. Photo provided by Darlene Alvarado.
WILTON — Saratoga Hospital announced last week the addition of the GE Healthcare Omni Legend PET/CT system to its medical imaging services at the Saratoga Hospital Wilton Medical Arts location at 3040 Route 50. According to the hospital, the system is the first of its kind in the region.
The Omni Legend enables healthcare professionals to detect and diagnose diseases at an earlier stage, leading to more effective treatment plans and improved outcomes for oncology, neurology, and cardiology.
Key features of the system include:
• High-resolution imaging for detailed anatomical and functional insights
• Faster scan times, reducing patient discomfort and wait times
• Enhanced image quality for more accurate diagnoses
• Higher accuracy in diagnosing cardiac disease before symptoms are present, with lower radiation exposure than traditional stress testing
• LED ambient lighting to help create a calming mood
• A graphic pattern on the upper area of the bore to help alleviate stress and reduce movement for nervous patients
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi released a statement April 22 to applaud the changes in the 2025 New York State Budget, which includes an increase of $50 million for Aid to Municipalities (AIM), to be allocated to cities and towns across the state.
Saratoga Springs will receive an increase of $191,566 in 2025, raising the total aid to $1,841,267, Commissioner Sanghvi reported.
“This is the first increase in AIM funding in 15 years. Saratoga Springs, like many communities, has been advocating for a closer look at municipal aid,” Sanghvi said in a statement. “I brought forward a resolution in March which passed 5-0, and we sent a letter to the NYS legislature and the governor to advocate for an increase. The city also joined 370 other cities, towns and villages requesting an increase.”
Saratoga Springs had previously received about $1.6 million in aid through the AIM program, which remained flat aside from changes during the pandemic. In 2013, it was 4.25% of the city budget, and in 2023 it was just 2.7%. In that time, the city budget grew from $39.8 million to $57 million.
“Small cities need this partnership from the state to fulfill their community responsibilities. AIM is unrestricted funds, which means it can be used wherever the city most needs it.” Sanghvi said. “I’m grateful to our governor and state legislature for their advocacy during the budget process.”
BALLSTON SPA — THE Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on April 16 approved a resolution to proclaim May as “Older Americans Month” in Saratoga County.
This year’s theme is Powered by Connection – “offering an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the benefits of connecting with others,” according to the proclamation.
“The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors is committed to strengthening our community by connecting with and supporting older adults, their families, and caregivers, and acknowledging their many valuable contributions to society,” according to the adopted resolution. “This Board of Supervisors proudly urges every resident to celebrate our older citizens, help to create an inclusive society, and accept the challenges of flexible thinking around aging.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi released a statement April 22 to applaud the changes in the 2025 New York State Budget, which includes an increase of $50 million for Aid to Municipalities (AIM), to be allocated to cities and towns across the state.
Saratoga Springs will receive an increase of $191,566 in 2025, raising the total aid to $1,841,267, Commissioner Sanghvi reported.
“This is the first increase in AIM funding in 15 years. Saratoga Springs, like many communities, has been advocating for a closer look at municipal aid,” Sanghvi said in a statement. “I brought forward a resolution in March which passed 5-0, and we sent a letter to the NYS legislature and the governor to advocate for an increase. The city also joined 370 other cities, towns and villages requesting an increase.”
Saratoga Springs had previously received about $1.6 million in aid through the AIM program, which remained flat aside from changes during the pandemic. In 2013, it was 4.25% of the city budget, and in 2023 it was just 2.7%. In that time, the city budget grew from $39.8 million to $57 million.
“Small cities need this partnership from the state to fulfill their community responsibilities. AIM is unrestricted funds, which means it can be used wherever the city most needs it.” Sanghvi said. “I’m grateful to our governor and state legislature for their advocacy during the budget process.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The city’s Department of Public Works is seeking qualified vendors of parking attendant services for a seasonal parking program which will operate annually from Memorial Day to Labor Day city-owned garages and surface lots.
The sealed bids must be submitted prior to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, when they will be publicly opened and read.
Vendors are requested to provide one attendant for parking services, 24 hours per day, throughout the duration of the parking program. One attendant will be responsible for monitoring activity within all parking garages and surface lots, assisting the public with parking-related questions or concerns, checking pay stations and troubleshooting as required.
Vendors should submit the hourly rate they would charge for the service. Potential bidders can supply an unlicensed attendant rate and/or a licensed security guard rate for consideration. Hourly rate should include all fees and expenses associated with the service.
WILTON — On Mondays May 6 and May 20 at 10:30 a.m., Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be holding its bi-weekly Nature on the Move walks.
These walks are led by one of Wilton Wildlife’s Environmental Educators and will take place at the Town of Wilton’s Neilmann Trailhead on May 6 and NYS DEC’s Camp Saratoga on May 20.
They are geared towards gentle exercise and are appropriate for adults at basic fitness levels. The group usually covers about 1.5 miles of trail. Nature on the Move happens every other week, year-round.
Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Wilton Wildlife website at wiltonpreserve.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Pitney Meadows Community Farm will unveil its Windbreak Planting Project this weekend.
This planting project aims to protect crops, nurture ecosystems, and engage with the land in innovative ways.
Pitney Meadows, located at 223 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, is welcoming the community and the general public to join them 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, to continue to bring the Windbreak to life. All levels of expertise are welcome.
Once dedicated to dairy and corn silage production, trees within the farms’ limit were actively removed to better serve the land’s purpose at the time. Currently the farm is now venturing into new land management practices, recognizing the importance of wind protection in annual cropping systems, hand-in-hand with benefits extending beyond crop shielding to water retention, pollinator support, wildlife habitat creation, and soil health improvement.
The project planting site, spanning 3.4 acres, has been carefully selected to straddle a historical watercourse, contributing to ecosystem balance and stream restoration efforts.
To kick off the planting, 140 Environmental Education students from Saratoga Springs High School were previously invited to begin bare root planting the 1500 native tree saplings and shrubs.
The project was made possible by startup grant funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and will create a protective barrier against strong winds by strategically planting native trees and shrubs. The grant recognizes the multifaceted impact of the project, including agricultural benefits, waterway restoration, habitat creation, biodiversity promotion, and carbon storage.
MALTA — On April 14, Malta Veteran Appreciation Program (MVAP), in collaboration with The Solomon Organization, held a dedication ceremony at the home they remodeled and donated to Jeff August, a local military veteran.
August served in the U.S. Air Force from 1995 through 2007 on missions including a counter drug operation.He is currently a teacher who dedicates his time to children with special needs.
It is the fourth home donated to servicemembers and veterans in the Malta area for their commitment to the country.
In addition to providing the pad for Jeffrey’s mobile home, Solomon Organization also contributed $1,000 to assist in landscaping, installing fencing, and other costs related to the property.
Founded in 1977, The Solomon Organization, LLC is a family-owned business owns, operates and manages more than 20,000 residential units in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. For more information on the Solomon Organization, LLC and its communities, please visit their website at www.solomonorg.com.
MVAP is a local organization created to provide charitable support services to local veterans in Malta and the surrounding community.
For more information about how to become involved with Malta Veterans Appreciation Program call Renee Farley 518-577-8863 MaltaVETS@gmail.com or visit www.maltavets.com.
-The Sheriff’s Office received a call of a domestic incident on April 20, that reportedly occurred on N.Y.S. Route 29 in the town of Galway. Investigation into the matter led to the arrest of Jose C. Sartin (age 30) of Middle Grove, who was charged with robbery in the 3rd degree (class D felony), and assault in the 3rd degree (class A misdemeanor). Sartin is accused of striking another person to the facial area resulting in physical injury and of forcibly stealing property from that person. He was arraigned before the Honorable Timothy M. Brown in the Milton Town Court and released on his own recognizance pending further action in the matter.
-The Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance call on Howe Road in the town of Corinth on March 30. Investigation into the matter led to the arrest on April 20 of Samuel E. Paquin (age 60) of Greenfield, who was charged with criminal mischief in the 2nd degree (class D felony) and reckless endangerment in the 2nd degree (class A misdemeanor). Paquin is accused of intentionally ramming another person’s vehicle with his own resulting in damage in an amount that exceeded $1,500. He is also accused of recklessly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. He was ordered to be released on an appearance ticket by the Honorable Michael T. Woodcock of the Corinth Town Court pending further action in the matter.
On Feb. 20, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a stabbing call involving a 16-year-old victim on Redfield Park in the town of Clifton Park. Investigation into the incident identified two adolescent male offenders and an adult male as having participated in the stabbing.
The two were each charged with assault in the 1st degree and gang assault in the 1st degree (class B felonies). Both were arraigned and released to the custody of their guardians pending further action in the matter.
The adult male, Coray A. Marrero (age 19) of Queens, NY, was charged with the same offenses as the juveniles as well as robbery in the 2nd degree (class C felony). Marrero was arrested in Queens by the NYPD on separate charges and turned over to the Sheriff’s Office on April 19. He was arraigned before the Honorable Timothy M. Brown and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail, bond, or partially secured bond pending further action in the matter.
The victim was transported to Albany Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery for potentially life-threatening injuries.
During the course of the investigation into the stabbing, it was discovered that the incident was in retaliation for a robbery that had occurred at the Walmart in the town of Halfmoon on Feb. 13. It is alleged that during this incident, a juvenile male was forced into a vehicle and robbed at gunpoint.
As a result of this investigation, Tyler J. Reed (age 20) of Schenectady, one adolescent male offender, and one juvenile male offender were charged with robbery in the 1st degree and kidnapping in the 2nd degree (class B felonies). One of the charged persons was the stabbing victim in the Clifton Park incident.
Reed was arraigned before the Honorable Katherine Suchocki in the Halfmoon Town Court on Feb. 28, and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail, insured bond, or partially secured bond to await further action in the matter. The adolescent male offender was arraigned and remanded to a secure detention facility in lieu of bail pending further proceedings in the matter, and the juvenile male offender was arraigned and released to a guardian pending further proceedings in the matter.
