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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Union Ave Project: Tree Removal Process Underway

Photo by Super Souce Media

SARATOGA SPRINGS —As part of a NYSDOT project to improve the area between East Avenue and Henning Road, invasive trees are being removed. 

Landscape plans from NYSDOT Design-Build Assistant Project Manager Corey Barringer indicate that 11 trees will be removed with an addition of 17 trees and two bushes.

“I walked the entire stretch of the median East of East Ave with DOT Landscapers/Arborists. We discussed the condition of each tree, the species and we determined the required maintenance needs, whether that was pruning or removal etc.,” said City Arborist Steve Lashomb, who is in consultation with the State regarding the project. “No red maples are being removed in the median. There are some Crimson King Maples that have dark red leaves and some of those are getting removed. Crimson Kings are a Norway Maple cultivar which are an invasive species and a threat to the native species in natural areas.”

Later this fall, a detour will be established around this stretch of Union Avenue to allow for milling and repaving, utilizing Henning Road to State Route 29 and East Avenue, according to a statement released by the New York State Department of Transportation. Dates of the detour will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Motorists are also reminded to Move Over a lane, if safely possible, or slow down significantly whenever encountering roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones. 

Riggi North Broadway Home Sold at Auction

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 20,000-plus square foot mansion on North Broadway known as “Palazzo Riggi” sold at auction on Sept. 8 to Joe Gross, owner of Gross Electric in Queensbury.

The winning bidder was first reported by Chelsea Diana in the Albany Business Review. Gross told the paper the final purchase price, after auction fees, will be around $7.1 million.

Built in 2003, the home was owned by Ronald and Michele Riggi and features 6 bedrooms and 7 full, 6 half bathrooms. 

Ronald Riggi, who founded Turbine Services LTD with his twin brother Vincent, died in August 2022. A lawsuit filed by Vincent Riggi in March 2023 seeks more than $27 million from his late brother Ronald’s estate, according to published reports.

The mansion was first listed for sale in September 2022 at $17.9 million. That listing price was dropped to $12 million earlier this year. 

Saratoga County Sales Tax Collections Up; Median Sales Price of County Homes over $400k

SARATOGA COUNTY — From January through July in 2023, Saratoga County collected $95.17 million in sales taxes, up 4.7% from the same time in 2022, according to a statement released by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The City of Saratoga Springs, specifically, collected $9.71 million in the first 7 months of 2023 compared with $8.72 million the same time in 2022, up 11.3%. 

The county’s overall collections in June and July in 2023 were up 17.5% and 8.5% respectively versus the prior year.

Additionally, the median sales price of a home in Saratoga County is $401,000 according to the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS. That figure is year-to-date as of July 2023 and represents an increase of more than $100,000 or 33.8% in the last five years when the median sales price year to date as of July of 2018 was $299,570.

The Saratoga Senior Center’s Celebrates New Location with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony


Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Senior Center’s new space at 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs was unveiled Sept. 12 with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Adjacent to the Saratoga Branch of the YMCA, the space covers more than 14,000 square feet, and will allow for increased programming for Seniors in Saratoga County.

The Dake Family and Stewarts Shops made a $3 million charitable gift that will allow the Saratoga Senior Center to co-exist on the Saratoga YMCA campus rent-free for 30 years.

“The seniors in our community are the backbone of what makes Saratoga such a great place to live, raise families and age,” says Lois Celeste, Executive Director. “We offer everything from dinners and trips to art classes, technology assistance, exercise classes, support for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s families, as well as a comfortable community center to socialize, make new friends and stay active. We encourage everyone to come and see what we do, try a new class or take a local or long-distance trip.”

Donations to the Saratoga Senior Center can be made online at saratogaseniorcenter.org/donate or by mailing a check to the center at 290 West Ave. Suite 1, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For more information about the Saratoga Senior Center or to volunteer visit www.saratogaseniorcenter.org or call 518-584-1621.

Saturday: Porch Music Fest on Spring Street

Free, family-friendly Saturday on Spring Street.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 4th Annual Front Porch Music Fest – an event featuring musicians performing on 15 front porches on Spring Street – takes place 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

Artists sharing their musical gifts include: Tim Wechgelaer; Juniper; Ragged Company; Marty Brown; Edward King Duo; Curley Lamb; Ray Giguere & Dave Scheffel; Will Capuano; Rick Surferboy & Leslie Turner; Maggie Doherty & Katy Dwyer. 

Spring Street will be blocked-off from Court Street to Nelson Avenue during the family-friendly event. 

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and To Life! Team up to Support Breast Cancer Survivors


Photo provided.

WILTON — This past spring, Wilton Wildlife and To Life! got together to provide the breast cancer community an outlet for exercise, good conversation, and learning about nature. Each week, Environmental Education Coordinator, Allyson Paradis, led the To Life! group on a different trail for a 6-week series exploring the Saratoga Sand Plains.

The spring program was so well-received that these two community organizations will be working together again this fall, offering this program to the breast cancer community. Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and To Life! are pleased to be able to promote healthy living and getting outside in nature for breast cancer patients and survivors with their partnered seasonal walks. The fall series will start on Monday, Sept. 25. 

Visit tolife.org or register for this series by emailing info@tolife.org. The fall walk series is planned for six Monday afternoons, Sept. 25 to Oct. 30, from 4 – 5:30 p.m. All of the guided walks cover about 1.5 to 2 miles and take place on well-maintained trails with easy to moderate terrain. 

Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance Extends Visitor Center Season

LAKE GEORGE — The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance announced it is extending the park’s Visitor Center season through the end of October.

Through Oct. 29, the Battlefield Park Visitor Center will be open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Alliance will also continue to host free guided tours of the site each Saturday in September and October, beginning at 11 a.m.

Upcoming special programs sponsored by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance include: Thursday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. Fort William Henry Conference Center, “The Battle of Lake George: Clash of Empires 1755,”  a presentation by historian John-Eric Nelson, co-sponsored by the French & Indian War Society at Lake George.

On Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. the dedication of a new historical marker describing Carleton’s Raid in 1780 will be held at Lake George Battlefield Park. 

For more information, visit www.lakegeorgebattlefield.org. 

Saratoga Arts Opens Applications for Community Arts Grants in Saratoga County

SARATOGA COUNTY — The application process for the 2024 Saratoga Arts Community Arts Regrant Program, a program from Saratoga Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, is now underway. 

Qualifying nonprofits, municipalities and artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties seeking funds for arts and cultural programming are encouraged to apply. 

Saratoga Arts offers three funding categories to accommodate a variety of community arts projects: Community Arts Grants, Individual Artist Grants, and Arts Education Grants. The deadline to apply for all is Nov. 28, 2023. Nominations for Panelists are also now open to both self-nominations and community nominations until mid-November. 

Information sessions on the grants’ guidelines and application process are offered throughout the application period in all three counties. Upcoming information sessions include an in-person information session on Oct. 2 hosted at Saratoga Arts, and on Oct. 23 hosted by the Fulton-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. All prospective, new, and returning applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of our information sessions or contact Grants Coordinator Spencer Sherry at ssherry@saratoga-arts.org.

For more details about the application process including deadlines, eligibility requirements, information sessions and more, please visit saratoga-arts.org/grants.

September 9 – September 15, 2023

Saratoga Springs Police

Sean Bass, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, and grand larceny in the fourth-degree firearms/rifles/shotguns. 

Brian McLucas, 38, of Greenwich, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Brendan Desharnais, 27, of Brooklyn, was charged with harassment. 

Justin Degener, 25, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with DWI. 

Vander Hart, 22, of Amsterdam, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Nathaniel Ketter, 22, of Albany, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and escape – third-degree. 

Emerald Mentor, 22, of Schenectady, was charged with obstruct governmental administration. 

Cheyenne Goodsill, 20, Kenneth Cravotta, 39, and Ryan Dobson, 35 – all of Gloversville, were each charged with charged with one misdemeanor count petit larceny. 

Chastant Shontz, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal mischief. 

Michael Abraham, 33, of Halfmoon, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Mitchum White, 36, of Ballston Spa, was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, and petit larceny. 

Joseph Murray, 48, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with harassment. 

Conor Ryle, 20, of Milton, was charged with criminal trespass. 

James Millington, 62, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal trespass. 

Tracy Loucks, 53, of Voorheesville, was charged with resisting arrest, and criminal trespass. 

Edward Northrup, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal mischief, criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense. 

Brandin Marble, 33, of South Glens Falls, was charged with assault, resisting arrest, criminal impersonation, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Jordan Jones, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and two driving violations. 

On Sunday, Sept. 3, Saratoga Springs Police were called to Ben and Jerry’s on Phila Street for a reported robbery, after a lone male suspect had entered the establishment and advised an employee that he was robbing the store. A weapon was implied but not displayed, police said. The suspect allegedly obtained cash from the register and left the scene. No one was injured during the incident. 

While SSPD was conducting its investigation, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office was notified about a robbery that occurred at the Stewart’s Shop on Route 9 and Cherry Choke Road in Malta. An SSPD Officer was able to locate a suspect on Route 9 near Cherry Choke Road, who matched the description of the suspect of both robberies.

After subsequent on-scene investigation by SSPD and SCSO, 40-year-old Daniel P. McKay II, of Amsterdam, was located at a nearby motel, arrested and charged with felony robbery. McKay is additionally facing a second count of felony robbery in Saratoga Springs. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. 

City Police commended the staff at Ben & Jerry’s for remaining calm during the incident and taking swift action that assisted the gathering of evidence.

Joseph Solevo, 35, of Ballston Spa, was charged with criminal contempt. 

Jordan Miklowitz, 34, of Round Lake, was charged with menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon. 

Salih Al-Hadi, 34, of Ballston Spa, was charged with criminal impersonation. Richard Daniels, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with assault. 

Timothy Cardinale, 62, of Glens Falls, was charged with criminal trespass, and petit larceny. 

Royal Hamilton, 42, of Corinth, was charged with felony DWI, refusal to take breath test, and two driving violations. 

Adam Livingstone, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with assault. 

Patrick Boyce, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check call on Huntridge Drive in the town of Clifton Park Sept. 7. Investigation into the complaint led to the arrest of 28-year-old Matthew D. Sand, of Clifton Park. Sand is accused of intentionally causing physical injury to another person and of applying pressure to that person’s throat or neck with the intention of impeding her normal breathing or blood circulation, thus causing her to lose consciousness, according to the sheriff’s office.  

Sand was charged with strangulation in the second-degree – a felony, and assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned in the Malta Town Court in the absence of Clifton Park justices and released to pre-trial services pending further action in the matter.

Daniel J. Colaes

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Daniel J. Colaes, 67, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on September 4, 2023, at home.

Dan was born on March 21, 1956, in Antwerp, Belgium. He was adopted at age 2 by Alfred and Catherine Sheehan Colaes and came to the U.S. His childhood was spent on Long Island. Dan resided in Saratoga Springs for over 40 years.

In Saratoga, Dan met his dance partner in life, Regina Cahill. They were married on June 8, 1991, and enjoyed 34 years of love and laughter together.

Dans career was in the marine/RV industry where he left his mark on a long list of loyal customers and marine and RV dealers. Everyone loved Dan. He retired in 2019 from King Controls, a company he truly respected.

Dan is survived by his wife, Regina, and his children- Jamie Ann Davies (Paul) of Saratoga Springs and Patrick John Colaes (Jaimee Martin) of Ballston Spa. He is also survived by four very lucky grandsons who adored their devoted Pappy – Parkes and Paxton Davies, Logan and Ford Colaes. They found great joy doing puzzles, Legos, tractor rides and sharing ice cream sandwiches with their Pappy.

Dan’s best four-legged friend, Duke, will surely miss his couch time, sharing Cool Ranch Doritos together. Dan will also be missed by numerous friends and family.

Dan will forever be remembered for his amazing sense of humor. He made everyone laugh. He enjoyed gardening, the Yankees, Jimmy Buffett, golf, cowboy movies (especially those starring The Duke) and a good nap. He really thought he could be a winning Jeopardy contestant! His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family, which meant the world to him.

The family will be taking some time to decide how to fulfill his wishes and honor the super guy that he was. For sure there will be great food and Jimmy Buffett music and we know we will feel his love.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Memorial donations may be made in Dan’s name to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com