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Author: Saratoga TODAY

WSWHE BOCES Honors 16 High School Equivalency Graduates

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — WSWHE BOCES held a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 honoring its 16 High School Equivalency (HSE) Program graduates.

Nearly 40 people were in attendance, which included graduates accepting their certificates and family and friends cheering them on. Student speaker, Nirendae Johnson, from Saratoga Springs, spoke to her classmates and the audience about the many times she wanted to give up, but instead persevered. 

“One of the most important things I learned throughout this journey is that it is always going to be hard, and scary and overwhelming, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. It might take you months or even years to reach your goals but the second you decided to try, you already completed the hardest part,” said Ms. Johnson.

Rose O’Neill, from Saratoga Springs, spoke to her class. O’Neill was inspired by her own sister’s courage who obtained her high school equivalency diploma and that allowed O’Neill to try for her own. She also thanked her instructor, who she believes helped her get to this point. 

“Everything changed when I met Mr. Frank Finch [HSE instructor]. The moment I walked into the HSE classroom, I felt a renewed sense of hope. Mr. Finch taught me academic subjects but also instilled in me a belief in my own potential,” said Ms. O’Neill. 

The high school equivalency diploma has opened up new possibilities for these students such as new job opportunities, goals for continuing education or attending technical school, a press release states.

District Superintendent, Dr. Turina Parker, spoke about celebrating the accomplishments of the students who persevered through challenges, ups and downs, setbacks and roadblocks. 

“This evening, we prove that everything is attainable when you put your mind to it. These students have made the impossible… possible. You made it to the finish line, one of many” stated Dr. Parker.

Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge Ladies Auxiliary Awards Scholarships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


From left: Grace Herzog, Sydney Wildermuth and Sophia Herzog.Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 Ladies Auxiliary awarded three $1,000 scholarships to Saratoga Springs High School seniors who demonstrated a variety of community service combined with exceptional grades while completing their years in High School. 

Each winner and their family attended the Auxiliary’s Scholarship Recognition and Auxiliary Past President’s Dinner. Each student spoke about her service to their community and their plans for college and their majors.

Northshire Bookstore Celebrates 10th Anniversary in Saratoga Springs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo by Dylan McGlynn.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Northshire Bookstore celebrated 10 years in Saratoga Springs on Friday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

At the ceremony, Mayor Ron Kim read a proclamation declaring Aug. 4 to be ‘Northshire Bookstore Day.’

Northshire initially opened in Saratoga Springs on Aug. 4, 2013, expanding from its first location in Manchester, Vermont. The store is currently owned by three sisters; Nicole Ihasz, Cathleen Ihasz, and Ashley Ihasz-Austin. 

The sisters are natives of Manchester, with Nicole Ihasz saying they visited Northshire Bookstore often as kids. She said it is meaningful to “continue the legacy” of the store.

“We grew up in Manchester. So the Northshire store, I feel like we grew up in that store,” said Nicole Ihasz. “What the Morrows created is a cultural center for the town. It’s the heartbeat of the town, it’s a community center.”

Northshire’s Manchester location was originally opened in 1976 by Ed and Barbara Morrow. After the Morrows retired, the store was operated by Clark and Lu French, before the Ihasz sisters acquired Northshire following the passing of Lu French in 2022, the company’s website states.

Nicole Ihasz said the decision to purchase Northshire was ‘a no-brainer.’ 

“We’re so glad we did it,” she said. “We had tremendous support from Clark French and from the Morrow family as we made this transition. As I said, we have the most brilliant staff. We’re so lucky.”

Ihasz credited the store’s staff for their work, saying their time operating Northshire has been enjoyable.

“It’s really been a great experience. I am a huge reader, so I just love being in these spaces,” said Nicole Ihasz. “As I said, I feel like I grew up in the store, so it’s really fun for me to interact with our team, but also interact with our customers, and talk to them about books.”

Saratoga County Career Center Offers Free Virtual Workshops 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops in August: 

August 17 at 11 a.m.: Completing Job Applications. Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington counties. 

August 22 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this  workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Saratoga and Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie counties. 

August 24 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media. Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady county. 

Registration is required for all workshops. Visit thejoblink.org/calendar to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at 518-884-4170 for more information.  

Property Transactions August 11 – August 17, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

This beautiful home at 11 Park Alley North in Saratoga Springs was listed by valerie thompson from Roohan Realty and sold for $1,800,000 

BALLSTON

Barbera Homes Kelley Farms LLC sold property at 24 Paddock Place to Daniel Russo for $800,000

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 29 Appleton St to Sean Daley for $604,425

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 8 Linden Ct to William Van DenBroeck for $444,980

Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 18 Appleton St to Andrew Kalas for $612,075

Clinton Ballinger sold property at 12 Davids Lane to Dieter Silva for $476,500

CORINTH

Daniel Boggs sold property at 50 Old River Rd to Camille Parker for $490,000

Peter Willis sold property at 11 Locust Ridge Rd to Loancare LLC for $203,310

GALWAY

Kevin Hanna sold property at 1274 NYS Rt 29 to Catherine Dioguardi for $350,000

MALTA 

Joseph Pilinko sold property at 467 Rt 67 to Pamela Milkovich for $580,000

Patrick Pecunia sold property at 29 Northwood Dr to David Ebbecke for $460,000

William Sheldon sold property at 22 Northwood Dr. to Francis Fogarty for $380,000

Marini Homes LLC sold property at 10 Landon Lane to Fortress Partners LLC for $350,000

Elissa Brinkman sold property at 23 Dino Dr to Louis Carnevale for $425,000

Edward Reilly sold property at 16 Foxglove Way to James Mantica for $530,000

SARATOGA

Debra Bedard sold property at 27 Ashleigh Lane to William Rawleigh for $760,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Stuart Mercer sold property at 49 Franklin St to Christopher O’Brien for $1,399,000

Beechwood Saratoga LLC sold property at 33 Oak Ridge Blvd to Matthew Dicaprio for $1,514,150

David Fiore sold property at 261 Caroline St to Mark Biggs for $650,000

Andrew Jarosh sold property at 23 Quevic Dr to BBL Upstate LLC for $125,000

West Ave Development LLC sold property at 116 West Ave Unit 402 to Steven Carnesi for $900,000

Peter Dorsman sold property at 11 Park Alley North to Charles Scully for $1,800,000

Steven Horan sold property at 18 Summerfield Lane to Kristopher Venezia for $1,375,000

Anthony Grey sold property at 86 Hathorn Blvd to Christine Pascucci for $425,000

Oklahoma Dreaming LLC sold property at 223 Union Ave to Jesse Santonastaso for $800,000

Cherlyn Fay sold property at 17 Patricia Lane to Cyrus Joubin for $469,000

Elizabeth O’Brien sold property at 6 Cherry Tree Lane to Always Be Kind LLC for $1,700,000

Beechwood Saratoga LLC sold property at 2 Nicole Ave to John Yates for $1,226,850

WILTON

Kim Monroe sold property at 76 Blanchard Rd to Truman LaFrance for $275,767.

Mark Petruska sold property at 34 Santee Dr to John Pettit  for $460,000

Sean Kane sold property at 23 Peach Tree Lane to Molly Mason for $515,000

Charles Pickett sold property at Ruggles Rd to Town of Wilton for $160,000

Ann Peek sold property at 4 Dakota Dr to Natalie Berwecky for $400,000.

Jessica Turner sold property at 5 Apple Tree Lane to Rapke Lama  for $475,000

Donald Railton sold property at 44 Brackett Lane to Ethan Collins for $425,000

William Ramsey sold property at 97 Dimmick Rd to Patricia Dunham for $405,000

Bonacio Construction Inc sold property at 7 Campbell Dr to Carol Heller for $767,560

Upstate NY Hospitals Receiving Reimbursements 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Saratoga Hospital. File photo.

SARATOGA COUNTY — Congressman Paul Tonko and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced the finalized rule announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would address a longstanding inequity, known as the Medicare Wage Index (MWI), that they say has short-changed Capital Region hospitals in Medicare reimbursement rates. 

This formula adjustment will bring more than $190 million annually to Capital Region hospitals and an estimated $967+ million across New York State each year.

“This fix to the formula means an influx of hundreds of millions to our local hospitals — long burdened by the added strain from the COVID-19 pandemic — to address staff pay and retention, update medical equipment and technology, and further invest in patient care,” said Tonko, in a statement released jointly with Schumer.

For years, the Medicare Wage Index for the Capital Region has rested around 86 cents on the dollar, while nearby regions in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut were provided much higher rates. The finalized CMS rule for the FY24 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) will bring the Capital Region’s MWI up to around $1.22, delivering more than $190 million in federal funding to NY-20 hospitals each year. 

The new FY24 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule will now increase the Capital Region’s adjustment to 122 percent of what the average hospital receives in wage adjustments, acknowledging that the region needs much higher than average wages to compete and bring in the best providers, according to the statement. 

The specific impact on Saratoga Hospital is just over $2.7 million. 

City, County – Upcoming Meetings

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Saratoga Springs

City Council Meeting – 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 at Music Hall, City Hall. 

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting – 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28 at Council Room, City Hall.

Design Review Board Caravan – 4 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30 at Council Room, City Hall. Meeting: Sept. 6.

Planning Board Workshop – 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31 at Council Room, City Hall. Meeting: Sept. 7. 

Saratoga County 

Board of Supervisors – 4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 15 at county complex in Ballston Spa. 

Boat Sinks at Round Lake; Two Adults and One Child Aboard Safely Returned to Shore

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA COUNTY —Three people aboard a sinking vessel safely reached shore after an incident on Round Lake Tuesday morning, Aug. 8. 

“At approximately 9:42 a.m., members of the Sheriff’s Office responded to Round Lake for a report of boaters in distress. Upon patrol’s arrival the vessel was submerged, and the occupants were being assisted by kayakers,” according to a statement released by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

The two adults and one child were all wearing life jackets and were returned to shore by the members of the Round Lake Fire Department. 

The preliminary investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol indicates that the damage to the hull was accidental and resulted in the vessel filling with water. The damaged vessel was towed to shore by the Round Lake Fire Department.

In addition to the Round Lake Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, Arvin Hart Fire Department, Ballston Lake Fire Department, Malta Ridge Fire Department and Malta-Stillwater EMS

Summer Sunday Strolls: Greenridge Cemetery, Cottages of North Broadway

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Sunday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m., Gloria May will lead a tour of the “Greenridge Cemetery & Civil War.” Come hear the “yarns and tales” of those who answered President Lincoln’s call to save the Union during the Civil War. This tour meets at the Sackett Gate entrance of Greenridge Cemetery located on Lincoln Avenue.

The following Sunday, Aug. 20, at 10:30 a.m., SSPF Executive Director Samantha Bosshart will lead “Summer Cottages of North Broadway,” a tour highlighting the architecture and the sharing of entertaining stories of those who built and resided in the grand residences. Meets at northwest corner of North Broadway and Van Dam Street in front of Witt Construction. 

All Sunday morning tours last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to 30 and tickets must be purchased in advance. Please check the Foundation’s website at www.saratogapreservation.org, to confirm if a tour has sold out. If tickets are still available the day of the tour, they can be purchased at the tour’s meeting location. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members.