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Author: Saratoga TODAY

New York Chaplaincy’s Charity Basketball Game set for Thursday, August 3 in Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Jockeys-versus-Horsemen charity basketball game, 2019. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The 13th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, will be played Thursday, Aug. 3 at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

The annual event routinely attracts more than 300 fans. Admission is free.

The jockey team will be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Ángel Cordero Jr., with trainer Todd Pletcher and agent Kiaran McLaughlin coaching the horsemen team. 

John Wallace, who was a first round draft pick by the New York Knicks in the 1996 NBA draft and spent seven years in the league, will be a special guest of the NY Chaplaincy and will play with the jockeys. As a collegian, he led Syracuse University to the 1996 NCAA championship game. 

“The horsemen, the jockey colony and Saratoga racing fans all eagerly anticipate this game and it never fails to be an immensely entertaining event,” said Humberto Chavez, the New York Chaplaincy lead chaplain and executive director. “Besides the display of athleticism and the fun, the game also provides critical support for the chaplaincy’s various programs serving the backstretch community. We are very grateful to the players, our sponsors and all those who attend each year.”

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center is located at 15 Vanderbilt Ave. 

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy serves the New York backstretch and farming community with children’s enrichment, teen mentoring, women’s programming, social service, recreational, and educational programming as well as non-denominational religious services.

For additional information, go to: www.rtcany.org.

Resident Honored for 100th B’Day

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Pictured left to right: Greenfield Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch, Dorothy Ormsbee (wife), Town Clerk Karen Dowen and in front, Russell Ormsbee.

Greenfield — Happy Birthday to Greenfield resident Russell Ormsbee. In honor of his 100th birthday July 22, 2023, he received a visit from Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch and Town Clerk Karen Dowen, who officially presented him with a proclamation from the Greenfield Town Board. Ormsbee, whose family has deep roots in our Town’s history dating back to  1796, served in the U.S. AirCore in World War II as a flight engineer on a c54 Cargo plane responsible for evacuating injured soldiers from Hawaii. He also was employed by the International Paper Co. for more than 39 years and has been an involved community member. He also has been an avid musician, having once played on live television and at the Grand Ole Opry.

America’s Turning Point Presents: Revolution on the Hudson at Hudson Crossing Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Revolution on the Hudson, a summer speaker series, will be staged Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Hudson Crossing Park, located at County Road 42 in Schuylerville.

Events begin at 6 p.m. and the public is invited to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the grounds. 18th century living historians will be ready to answer questions and provide demonstrations before the speaker program begins at 7 p.m. 18th Century toys and games along with replica colonial clothing will be available for children to try. Please bring your own chairs.

Living Historian: Anne Clothier, Camp Followers of Burgoyne’s Army. Speaker: Bruce Venter, “The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America. 

Pitney Meadows Community Farm’s Fire Feast on Aug. 1

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Pitney Meadows Community Farm’s signature event Fire Feast returns for 2023. Named one of Saratoga’s most unique summer events, Fire Feast features an all-star team of renowned farm-to-table chefs cooking over 6 open-fire pits sourcing meats, vegetables, and other ingredients from local producers and from the Pitney Meadows’ Farm fields.

The event takes place 6 – 9 p.m. Aug. 1 at Pitney Meadows Community Farm, 223 West Ave. 

Pitney Meadows Community Farm was founded as a non-profit in 2016 after the 166-acre farmland was protected in perpetuity as conserved agricultural lands. In 2022 alone, the Farm welcomed over 6,000 visitors and community members; donated 8,743 pounds of produce; supported over 100 community gardeners; hosted 162 educational programs; added a full-time staff member to lead the food sovereignty program; and collaborated with more than 20 community organizations. These incredible accomplishments were made by a small working board and staff all while simultaneously reinvigorating the fields for organic farming and operating a 100 member Pick Your Own CSA; and made possible by grants and hundreds of generous community members who share a vision of food justice, agricultural education, recreation, and community.

Fire Feast: Guests will watch as the chefs prepare a seasonally inspired and carefully curated meal over open fire pits, meander through the Community Gardens while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy horse-drawn wagon tours of the trails while taking in the sights of the Farmscape at dusk.

Tickets: pitneymeadows communityfarm.org.

Trolley Tours of Saratoga Springs Launches Aug. 1

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center will launch their 2023 guided trolley tours on Aug. 1. 

The 90-minute guided tour of Saratoga Springs which starts at 10 a.m. will run through Aug. 31. Tickets are $25 per person.

The tour includes historic sights and points of interest along Broadway, North Broadway, Skidmore campus, High Rock Park for a mineral water tasting, the Saratoga Race Course, and more.

The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center has partnered with Upstate Transit of Saratoga – who have designed trolleys with authentic wooden seating, decorative etched glass windows and air-conditioning. The 28-passenger trolleys also feature a wheelchair lift. 

For advance reservations, call 518-587-3241. Day Of tickets, based on availability, can be purchased at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, located at 297 Broadway. No refunds for reservations cancelled less than 48 hours prior to start of tour. Cancellations can be made by phone or email at karen@discoversaratoga.org.

Bringing The Middle East Home: Jesuit To Speak On Life And Work In Beirut

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Father Dan Corrou, SJ, will speak on his life and work in Lebanon where he has served for 8 years in a discussion 8:45-10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11 at St. Clement’s Church, on Lake Avenue. 

Corrou, 50, born in Saratoga Springs, is currently director of the Middle East and North Africa region for Jesuit Refuge Service (JRS). Since 1980, JRS has provided a range of services, including child and adult education, emergency assistance, and advocacy for refugees. 

For more information, contact Barbara Naple, Program Manager, IVC Albany, at bnaple@ivcusa.org.

Saratoga County Seeks Volunteers to Deliver Meals to Homebound Seniors in Schuylerville

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Schuylerville.

This important program helps many seniors, age 60 and older, remain independent in their homes by providing them with a nutritious ready-to-eat lunch each weekday. 

Meals are picked up at 11 a.m. and delivered until 1 p.m. Volunteers’ schedules are flexible to meet their availability. 

To become a volunteer, individuals must submit paperwork, including references, to the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services. Volunteers must have a valid driver license and their own vehicle. Training and orientation are provided to all volunteers. Being a volunteer for this program is a gratifying experience as seniors look forward to seeing a friendly face with their meals. 

Those interested in becoming a volunteer may call the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-363-4020 for details. 

July 22 – July 28, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga Police

Antonio Trujillo Mena, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 17 with criminal mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing, and assault. 

Kevin Cavanagh, 56, was charged July 16 with criminal trespass. 

Paul Gunya, 33, of Northum-berland, was charged July 16 with criminal mischief. 

Theresa Sheffer, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 16 with DWI, and operating a motor vehicle without inspection certificate. 

Ann Matrazzo, 62, of Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged July 15 with criminal possession of stolen property. 

Robert Seward, 54, of Utica, was charged July 15 with DWI, and two driving violations. 

Lauren Baran, 36, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 15 with DWI. 

Brandon Camaj, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 14 with assault. 

Christopher Cormier, 52, was charged July 13 with petit larceny. 

Aaron Godlewski, 31, of Altamont, was charged July 13 with grand larceny. 

Jordan Jones, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 13 with aggravated unlicensed operation, circumvent interlock, and three driving-related violations. 

Stephen Gullotti, 39, of Malta, was charged July 12 with petit larceny. 

Michael West, 37, of Greenfield, was charged July 12 with four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one count criminal sale of a controlled substance. 

James Yawn, 42, of Schenectady, was charged July 12 with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Amanda Ashline, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 12 with aggravated unlicensed operation, and failure to stop at a stop sign.   

On July 6, members the Saratoga Springs Police Department Special Investigations Unit, in conjunction with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant on a residence located on the east side of the city. The several-months-long investigation began with complaints from concerned neighbors about possible illegal drug activity involving a resident of the home. Tiffany M. Salak, 35, was charged with three felonies – criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal nuisance, and the misdemeanor – criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office 

Korey J. West, Jason O. Allen, Bradley L. Allen, and Diane E. Allen were arrested following a lengthy investigation of drug trafficking in Saratoga County. Members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit / Special Operations Team and the Saratoga Springs Police Department SIU executed a search warrant at 223 Bockes Road in the Town of Greenfield. As a result of the investigation and search warrant, scales, packaging material, quantities of fentanyl, crack/cocaine, and suboxone were seized. Korey J. West, 25, was charged with four counts each of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two counts criminal sale of a controlled substance. All charges are felonies.  Bradley L. Allen, 67, Diane E. Allen, 62, and Jason O. Allen, 43, were each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree. Jason Allen was additionally charged with criminal nuisance in the first-degree.  

On June 8, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office charged 19-year-old Riley A. MacLeod, of Wilton, with felony assault, and criminal possession of a weapon – a misdemeanors. MacLeod is accused of attacking a family member with a knife while at their home in the town of Wilton. The family member suffered a non-life-threatening, stab wound to the arm, was treated at Saratoga Hospital and released after treatment. 

On July 17, the Sheriff’s Office charged Michael D. Hepp, 34, of Troy, with felony robbery, in connection with a suspected robbery at Hayner’s Ice Cream and Country Store. It is alleged Hepp forcibly stole money and threatened the use of a firearm. The victim was not injured during the incident and the investigation is ongoing. Hepp was arraigned and sent to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $30,000 cash bail, $60,000 bond, and a $300,000 partially secured bond.

Saratoga County Court

George R. Licata, 55, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded to DWAI, charged May 28 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Aug. 25. 

William S. Davis, 41, of Fultonville, pleaded to failure to register as a sex offender, charged April 18 in Malta. Sentencing Sept. 29. 

Jesus A. Perez, 22, of Schuylerville, pleaded to rape in the third-degree, charged March 2022 in Saratoga. Sentencing Sept. 22. 

Douglas J. Murray, 29, of Waterford, pleaded to felony DWI, charged May 14. Sentencing Sept. 19. 

Dixie D. White 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

WILTON — Dixie D. White passed away July 12, 2023 at her home in Ballston Spa. At the family’s request there will be no calling hours or service at this time. There will be a celebration of life at a later date. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com 

Leona C. Signor

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Leona Casey Signor, 90, peacefully passed away July 21, 2023. Calling hours Friday, 7/28/23, 4-5:30 at Burke Funeral home, service following 5:30. Burial 11am, 7/29 at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave. Memorial donations to Community Hospice of Saratoga Springs and/or Saratoga Central Catholic School. burkefuneralhome.com