Skip to main content

Author: Saratoga TODAY

City Paving This Week

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The following street(s) are to be paved/ milled this week. 

Paving will begin at 6 a.m. and should be completed by 2 p.m. There is no parking of cars on the street during these hours, and driveway access/egress will be limited with potentially lengthy delays.

Monday, June 10 – Victoria Lane from Excelsior Spring Ave through cul-de-sac.

Tuesday, June 11 – Mallard Landing from Pheasant Run through cul-de-sac.

Wednesday, June 12 – Victoria Lane from Excelsior Spring Ave through cul-de-sac.

Wednesday, June 12 – Ritchie Place from Pheasant Run through cul-de-sac. 

S.O.S Code Blue Season: 299 People Sheltered, 56 Moved Into Housing or Longer-Term Shelter

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Code Blue shelter wrapped up its 10th shelter season in April and provided access to shelter for nearly 300 people facing winter homelessness in the greater Saratoga area, Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) reported last week. 

The 2023-24 Code Blue shelter, located at 120 South Broadway opened for the season in October 2023 when temperatures dipped below 32 degrees, the threshold for inclement weather shelter in New York State. The shelter’s 75 cots were full within two weeks of opening, despite an unseasonably warm winter. 

The Code Blue shelter closed for the season on Tuesday, April 26, 2024. 

During the season Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) staff helped 30 guests successfully move into housing, and 26 guests transitioned to longer-term shelter with support services at SOS’s Emergency Shelter program on Walworth Street or the RISE Housing and Support Services’ Adelphi Street shelter. Fourteen guests chose to enter clinical care facilities. Placement into housing and transitional services helped minimize the number of guests leaving Code Blue without stable accommodations when the shelter closed.

“Once again, Code Blue was at capacity early in the winter season. A crucial element for our success has been our collaboration with RISE,” Duane Vaughn, Executive Director at Shelters of Saratoga, said in a statement.  “Our partnership has been instrumental in providing effective services to those struggling in our community. The Adelphi Street shelter operated by RISE provides the opportunity for guests to continue stability services that began at Code Blue. This partnership highlights the effectiveness of community collaboration in addressing homelessness.” 

The Code Blue shelter plans to reopen at 120 South Broadway in October 2024. Those in need of shelter may choose Shelters of Saratoga’s emergency shelter on Walworth Street, or the temporary low-barrier shelter operated by RISE on Adelphi Street, each operating year-round. 

The Code Blue shelter is operated by area non-profit Shelters of Saratoga, with assistance from Saratoga County and in accordance with NYS Emergency Measures for the Homeless During Inclement Winter Weather. The NYS measure mitigates the effects of inclement winter weather, and the resulting impacts of such weather on individuals experiencing homelessness, as the responsibility of each social service district. 

Over 11,500 meals were served to guests of Code Blue, donated by area restaurants, faith-based groups, and civic organizations. Community volunteers spent 312 total hours serving meals to guests. 

2023-24 Highlights

Number of people sheltered: 299

Meals served: 11,560

Nights open: 171

Housed: 30

Long-term shelter: 26

Clinical treatment programs: 14

Volunteer hours: 312

Dinner donors: 16 

Average length of stay: 35 nights

Range of length of stay:

1 day               41 guests

2-15 days        110 guests

16-30 days      32 guests

31-60               48 guests

61-90               30 guests

90+                  38 guests 

Police: Rally Violated City Code

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two local gatherings – held on May 1 and on May 25, have resulted in charges filed against Alexis Figuereo, who is suspected of organizing the events, and alleging City Codes were violated because permits were not secured in advance of the gatherings. 

A summation of the public announcements related to the two events follows:    

April 27 – Saratoga BLM Facebook posting. May Day Rally for Palestine, 6 p.m. May 1 at Congress Park. 

May 21 – Saratoga Springs Police Department statement, press release. 

On May 1, a pre-planned demonstration occurred in the city of Saratoga Springs. The demonstrators did not seek a permit prior to demonstrating in Congress Park, nor did they seek a permit to march on Broadway. These actions constitute violations of City Ordinances; chapters 98 and 151 respectively. Blocking streets without a permit is illegal. Doing so strains police resources, impedes our ability to respond to other calls for service and endangers public safety, as evidenced by the 911 calls made to SSPD during this incident. 

The primary organizer of the demonstration has been identified and charged for violating Saratoga Springs City Code 98 Demonstrations and 151 Parades due to not applying for a permit with the city. 

May 24 – Saratoga BLM statement, media advisory. 

On May 25, Saratoga BLM will be joined by organizations and community leaders across the Capital Region for a joint press conference in Congress Park regarding the recent charges filed against Lexis Figuereo. On Tuesday, May 21, the public was made aware that the Saratoga Springs Police Department would be filing charges against Figuereo for being the “primary organizer” of a May 1 rally for Palestine. Despite the SSPD knowing the event was co-organized by multiple organizations, they chose to single out Figuereo and falsely accuse him with no evidence that he was the primary organizer of said event. 

May 29 – Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll, press release. 

The city of Saratoga Springs requires that any group planning to demonstrate must submit a document called a “demonstration declaration.” There is no fee for the declaration and this requirement was established by the City in 2005.

The purpose of this document is to provide a way for the Department of Public Safety to work cooperatively with groups organizing demonstrations to ensure that the demonstrators and the public can be safe. 

In the case of the May 25 demonstration promoted on the Saratoga Black Lives Matter Facebook page, no such demonstration declaration was received by the Accounts Department. In advance of the demonstration, the Department of Public Safety took the proactive step of notifying Attorney Mark Mishler of the requirement for his client to file a demonstration declaration. Unfortunately, the Department of Public Safety received no response from Mr. Mishler and no demonstration declaration was filed. On May 29, Attorney Mishler accepted an Appearance Ticket on behalf of his client, Alexis A. Figuereo, for violating Chapter 98 of the Saratoga Springs City Code.

Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market Opens June 15

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

The 2024 Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market opens June 15, Photo provided.

BALLSTON SPA — The 2024 Ballston Spa Farmers’ Market will be held every Thursday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. from June 15 to Oct. 5 at Wiswall Park on Front Street. 

Since 2003, these markets have been connecting the community with local farms, food, and craft producers.

Presented by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association (BSBPA), vendors interested in joining the 2024 Season at the market may submit applications at: www.ballston.org/category/farmers-market/.

The Farmers’ Market is also seeking community volunteers to assist during market days. Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to connect with vendors, enjoy early bird shopping, and to help promote the market’s presence in Ballston Spa. For more information, reach out to farmersmarket@ballston.org. 

Free Talk on Physical Therapy Following Joint Replacement

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

MALTA  — “Having a Knee Replacement? A Physical Therapist Can Help” will be presented on Tuesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m., by physical therapist Matthew O’Neil, a partner with physical therapist Michael Cudahy at Saratoga Physical Therapy Associates. The event will be held at the multi-site practice’s 2388 Route 9, Malta location (corner of Knabner Rd./Route 9, just south of the Global Foundries traffic circle). This is a FREE community event.

O’Neil has been practicing physical therapy for three decades, specializing in working with patients with knee joint arthritis, both before and after replacement. His vast clinical experience makes him a preferred provider with surgeons and patients.

Topics to be covered include: Osteoarthritis Overview; Conservative Joint Management With Physical Therapy; Rehabilitation and Activity Following Joint Replacement.

Questions will be welcome at the talk. Seating is limited, so for more information or to reserve a free spot, call 518-899-1140.

Saratoga County Officials Celebrate Retiring County Fire Coordinator at Walkout Ceremony

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

A “walkout” ceremony was held May 30 to honor retiring Saratoga County Fire Coordinator Ed Tremblay. Photo provided.

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County officials held a “walkout” ceremony on May 30 to honor long-time Saratoga County Fire Coordinator Ed Tremblay, who retired after 29 years of dedicated service to the County. 

Tremblay was appointed Saratoga County Fire Coordinator in 1995. During his 29 years with Saratoga County, he coordinated innumerable firefighter classes and fire investigations and oversaw the deployment of county based assets to multiple major disasters. 

Tremblay also established the County HazMat Team in 1999 and facilitated construction of a new burn building at the Fire Training Center in 2001 and its replacement, which is scheduled for construction in 2025. He is a life member of the West Crescent Fire Department, previously serving as chief for six years.    

Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance Stages Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

LAKE GEORGE — A crowd of nearly 100 people attended the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance’s annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on May 27. 

The event was staged at the burial site in the park of four unknown soldiers who were killed during the Battle of Lake George in 1755. 

The keynote speaker for the event was retired US Army Brigadier General F. David Sheppard, a Vietnam veteran who rose to become the Deputy Adjutant General of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and, subsequently, the Director of the State’s Office of Homeland Security. 

Other speakers at the event included Pastor Ali Trowbridge, Caldwell Presbyterian Church, and Bruce M. Venter, historian and Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance Trustee. The program also included tributes by the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department, Lake George American Legion Post 374, and re-enactors representing Fort William Henry. The program concluded with the traditional playing of “Taps” by Lake George Junior-Senior High School Music Director Amy Baker.

June 1 – 7, 2024

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga County Court

Kaitlyn Walker, 23, of Corinth, pleaded to assault in the second-degree, charged November-December 2023. Sentencing May 14, 2025. 

Zachary Michaels, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to criminal contempt in the first-degree, charged December 2023 in Saratoga Springs. 

Catherine A. Christopher, 47, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced to 90 days incarceration at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility (time served), to be followed by 5 years of probation, after pleading to assault in the second-degree, charged in January in Malta. 

Denis Salinas Alvarez, 29, of Mechanicville, was sentenced to 5 days incarceration and 5 years probation, after pleading to felony DWI, charged August 2023. 

Jonathan E. Joyal, 31, of Ballston, was sentenced to 5 years probation, after pleading to felony DWI, charged June 2023. 

Anthony P. Delaurie, Jr., was sentenced to 4-1/2 years incarceration and 5 years probation, after pleading to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second-degree, charged April 2023 in Malta. 

Dylan Benaquista, 28, of Halfmoon, was sentenced to 364 days incarceration, after pleading to felony burglary, charged June 2023. 

Tiffany M. Salak, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 2 years incarceration and 1 year post-release supervision, after pleading to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth-degree, charged July 2023. 

Royal D. Hamilton, 43, of Corinth, pleaded to felony DWI, charged August 2023 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Aug. 29. 

Kevin Decelle, 34, of Malta, pleaded to felony strangulation and felony burglary, charged November 2023 in Halfmoon. Sentencing Aug. 2. 

Christopher Barnes, 44, of Wilton, pleaded to criminal contempt in the first-degree, charged March 2024. Sentencing July 26. 

Lee Horning, Jr., 37, of Gloversville, pleaded to rape in the second-degree, charged September 2023 in Edinburg. Sentencing July 30. 

Janelle Peer-Mohan, 37, of Milton, was sentenced to 5 years probation after pleading to criminal possession of property in the fourth-degree, charged January 2023. 

Jeffrey T. Hampshire, 43, of Stillwater, pleaded to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first-degree, a felony, charged November 2023. Sentencing Sept. 9. 

John A. Speigel, Jr., 33, of Wappingers Falls, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to felony DWI, charged February 2024 in Wilton. 

Ryan T. Matatall, 40, of Gansevoort, was sentenced to 5 years probation after pleading to felony DWAI, charged October 2023 in Clifton Park. 

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office

The Sheriff’s Office responded to a property damage motor vehicle crash on Plant Road in the town of Halfmoon. Investigation into the collision resulted in the arrest of Michael P. Martiniano, 44, of Clifton Park. He was charged with DWI, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08% or greater (class E felonies), AUO in the 3rd degree (unclassified misdemeanor), and failure to yield right of way (infraction).  The charges were upgraded to class E felonies due to a prior DWI conviction. It is alleged that his license was suspended at the time of the crash and that he failed to yield right of way while making a left turn. He was processed and released on appearance tickets returnable to the Halfmoon Town Court on a later date.

The Sheriff’s Office arrested Tyquan T. Simon, 31, of Troy on a warrant for criminal mischief in the 3rd degree (class E felony) from the Charlton Town Court. Simon is accused of intentionally causing damage to a Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle in an amount exceeding $250 by kicking and punching the rear passenger window and the divider while he was in custody for a separate matter on April 10, 2024. He was arraigned in the Charlton Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail where he was being held on separate charges pending further action in the matter.

The Sheriff’s Office received a damage/vandalism complaint on Parkis Mills Road in the town of Galway. As a result of the investigation into the complaint, Jerry M. Pepper, 51, of Amsterdam, was arrested and charged with criminal mischief in the 3rd degree (class E felony). Pepper is accused of intentionally damaging a door belonging to another person in an amount exceeding $250. He was processed and released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Galway Town Court on a later date.

12-Year-Old Arrested in Connection with Threat Made to Middle School

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA —The Sheriff’s Office received a call at 6:57 a.m. on May 29 of a social media threat allegedly made against the O’Rourke Middle School, in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District.   

Authorities said an investigation into the matter led to the identification and arrest of a 12-year-old boy for making a threat of mass harm, a misdemeanor.

“Once again, the partnerships we’ve developed with the schools and the students led to a quick, safe resolution to this call,” Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo said in a statement. “The safety of our schools is one of our top priorities, and our SRO program is integral to this goal.”

The threat was determined to be non-credible and there was no disruption to regular school activities, police said.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Glenville Police Department.