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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Veterans Welcome To Board Honor Flight  

ALBANY — World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Cold War veterans can register for a free one-day excursion on Friday, Oct. 6 to visit war monuments, historic sites in Washington, D.C. as well as the Arlington National. 

The Capital District Patriot Flight, a hub of the National Honor Flight Network, will fly the veterans and their guardians on a Southwest Airlines aircraft from the Albany International Airport to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. They will then board two buses that will transport them to the nation’s capital. Wheelchairs will be provided. 

Veterans and their guardians will visit the Navy Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War (Wall) Memorial, Women’s Military Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial.

More guardians are needed to assist veterans, especially disabled ones. Each guardian is assigned to a veteran or several veterans to provide assistance and serve as the veterans’ guides. Some will push veterans in wheelchairs. 

Veterans are free. Each guardian pays a $450 fee the helps offset flight, meal, transportation and other expenses. Veteran and guardian applications can be downloaded from PatriotFlight.org.

For more information, contact Jennifer Lyons at (518) 872-0812 or jenniferlyons63@yahoo.com.   

August 26 – September 1, 2023

Saratoga County Court

Jessica R. Bellon, 33, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced Aug. 18 to 1 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to DWAI, charged June 2022 in the town of Ballston. 

Quazey N. Robinson, 23, of Clifton Park, pleaded to attempted burglary in the second-degree, a felony, charged April 2023. Sentencing Oct. 20. 

Angel M. Marrero, 51, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Aug. 21 to 6 months incarceration and 5 years probation, after pleading to felony criminal possession of a weapon, charged May 2023 in Saratoga Springs. 

Tyler J. Nash, 27, of Galway, pleaded to felony criminal possession of a weapon, charged March 2023 in Waterford, and criminal possession of stolen property, February 2023 in Wilton. Sentencing Oct. 16. 

Isaiah Whitehurst, 40, of Brooklyn, was sentenced Aug. 17 to 8 years incarceration in a state correctional facility, and 3 years post-release supervision. The sentencing is in connection with criminal possession of a controlled substance charges related to drug-dealing activities that took place Dec. 1 2022 in the town of Northumberland. 

Hernandez J. Hayes, 49, of Manhattan, was sentenced Aug. 17 to 15 years incarceration in a state correctional facility, and 5 years post-release supervision, in connection with criminal possession of a controlled substance charges regarding a March 2023 incident in Halfmoon. “Hayes was arrested as part of an investigation into drug dealing activities taking place across multiple counties after a search warrant was executed on his vehicle, which showed that he had more than 465 grams of cocaine and 16 ounces of fentanyl pills in his possession,” according to a press release issued by the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office.   

Jordan Hensleigh, 32, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced to 2 to 4 years for attempted assault on a state Uniformed Officer in the village of Ballston Spa in September 2022, and 2 to 4 consecutive years for violating a March 2022 court order in Saratoga Springs. 

Nicole M. Nelson, 49, of Ballston Spa, pleaded to felony DWI charged May 2023 in Malta. Sentencing Oct. 13. 

Cymry J. Brooks, 39, of Rochester, pleaded to aggravated family offense, a felony, charged March 2023 in Clifton Park. Sentencing Sept. 28. 

Saratoga Springs Police Department

Raki Johnson, 25, of Schenectady, was charged Aug. 20 with criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth-degree. Both charges are felonies. The arrests stem from an incident that occurred at approximately midnight in the area of  Caroline Street when an officer on foot patrol allegedly encountered a man in a vehicle that was parked with an expired registration. Upon further investigation, the officer observed a black handgun in the rear passenger compartment in plain view, police said. The gun was secured from the vehicle and determined to be a loaded 9mm Taurus semi-automatic handgun with nine rounds of ammunition, which had been reported as stolen to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. Johnson was arraigned and sent to the custody of the Sheriff’s Office in lieu of $15,000 cash bail, $30,000 bond, or $150,000 partially secured bond. 

Dennis Walsh, 46, of Galway, was charged with criminal contempt, and aggravated harassment. 

Jacob Hayner, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with false personation. 

Kenneth Rossen, 60, of Corinth, was charged with false personation, aggravated unlicensed operation, and multiple vehicle related violations. 

Ronald Owen, 58, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal tampering, and criminal mischief. 

Allyson McKinney, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with assault. 

Adam Hill, 38, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with assault. 

David Hynes, 64, of Cornelius, North Carolina, was charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, and various driving related violations. 

Rachel Dodge, 35, of Granville, was charged with assault. 

Catharine Crete, 39, of Moreau, was charged with assault, and criminal mischief. 

Perry Dow, 59, of Lake Luzerne, was charged with criminal mischief, and petty larceny. 

Marcus Commissiong, 69, of Queens, N.Y., was charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, and failure to use designated lane. 

Joshua Spencer, 33, of Glens Falls, was charged with Drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle on highway, refusal to take a breath test, aggravated DWI, operating an unregistered vehicle, and acting in manner injure child less than 17.  

Kenneth T. Abrams

SCHUYLERVILLE —Kenneth T. Abrams died August 25. A funeral service was held on Monday, August 28, 2023 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Calling hours were held prior to the  service at the funeral home. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

Stephen Bickelhaupt

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stephen Bickelhaupt died August 22. At the family’s request there will be no calling hours or service at this time. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

Gary E. Stone

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Gary E. Stone died August 25. Services were private and at the convenience of the family. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

Kenneth R. Fish Jr.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Kenneth R. Fish Jr. died August 26. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Calling hours will be held 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon prior to the service. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

Wendy Fortino

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Wendy Fortino died August 28. Funeral services are 1:00 p.m. Friday,  September 1, 2023 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Calling hours are 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Warrensburg Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

Edward John Stevens

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Edward John Stevens passed away Monday, August 28, 2023. Ed’s family would like to thank everyone who helped him to the end. Calling hours are 1-3 p.m., Friday, 9/8/2023 at Burke Funeral Home followed by a 3 p.m. funeral home service. Burial will be private. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com

Jean Andrews Richards

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Jean Andrews Richards, 99, died peacefully 8/25/2023. Services were 8/31 at the Presbyterian – United Church of Christ. Burial is in the family plot Lawrenceville Cemetery, Lawrenceville, NJ. Memorial donations to Shelters of Saratoga, the Presbyterian – United Church of Christ, or the charity of one’s choice. www.burkefuneralhome.com. 

George S. Welden

BALLSTON SPA — George S. Welden, 87, passed away August 25, 2023. George was born on April 7, 1936 in Saratoga Springs. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations to the Lung Association, PO Box 756, Osceola WI 54020-0756. Please visitburkefuneralhome.com