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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Double H Ranch Announces Alison Wilcox as Chief Executive Officer

Alison Wilcox will assume the role of CEO of The Double H Ranch in August. Photo provided.

LAKE LUZERNE — The Double H Ranch, a non-profit organization providing specialized programs and year-round support for children dealing with life-threatening illnesses, announced the hiring of Alison Wilcox as CEO. 

Wilcox will be following in the footsteps of Max Yurenda, who retired after 30 years leading the organization founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and businessman and philanthropist Charley Wood. 

Wilcox has over 20 years of global experience in non-profit leadership and board governance and has been the CEO of Girl Scouts of Western New York for the past 4 years, and she was COO for 3 years. Prior to that, she was a Senior Strategy Advisor to Girl Scouts of USA, Lead Development Specialist at Delaware North Companies and the Senior VP of Program and Membership of Girls Scouts of Western New York. 

Wilcox will officially assume the role of CEO in August. 

The Double H Ranch, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. All programs are free of charge. For more information, visit: doublehranch.org.

State Police Conduct an Underage Drinking Enforcement Detail in Saratoga County

SARATOGA COUNTY — Three businesses were highlighted by New York State Police for allegedly not being in compliance under the New York Beverage Control Law Section 65 – Prohibited Sale to Person Under the Age of 21 – during an initiative last week when six Saratoga County businesses were checked for compliance.

Those businesses – all located in Malta, are: CVS, 2535 State Route 9; Stewart’s Shops, 2951 State Route 9, and Wine & Liquor Shop of Malta, 5 Kendall Way.  

Three people were charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the first-degree, a misdemeanor, after allegedly selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21.

During these investigations, Businesses are checked utilizing a Trooper in plainclothes, and one or several underage operatives who cannot lie about their age or provide a false date of birth.

State Police also recognized the following establishments for their compliance: XtraMart, 2954 State Route 9, Malta, Runway Express, 1402 Saratoga Rd, Ballston Spa, and Valero, 1324 Saratoga Rd, Ballston Spa. 

County Approves 3-Year Contract Resolution with Sheriff’s Office Employees Union

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. today announced the County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution for a new contract with the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) at its Board Meeting on June 20. The Union represents 131 Sheriff’s Office employees who work in the County Correctional Facility and 911 Communications Center.

“This contract with the Saratoga County United Public Services Employees Union, provides a fair and balanced contract that is beneficial for not only our employees, but also the taxpayers of Saratoga County,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said, in a statement.   “Equally as important, the agreement incorporates measures that will help our Sheriff’s Office recruit and retain qualified employees dedicated to serving our residents at both our County Jail and our Communications Center.” 

The three-year agreement provides union members a one year $4,000 wage increase retroactive to January 1, 2023, and incorporates a 2.95% wage increase in both 2024 and 2025. This will help the county attract and retain both corrections officers and 911 Dispatchers, for which the County has a critical fulfillment need. 

As part of the agreement, all affected employees will increase their health care contribution and will pay increased copays for health insurance services.

Ellsworth Commons Transitions to The Ellsworth and Malta Center

MALTA — Ellsworth Commons, the popular retail and residential community in downtown Malta, this week announced a renaming of the property to feature two unique identities: the boutique apartment complex now known as The Ellsworth and its accompanying retail and office marketplace, Malta Center. 

Developed more than a decade ago to support the Luther Forest Tech Park, today the community incorporates a four-building configuration that houses 312 apartments and 60,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial, retail and office space at 2545 Route 9 in Malta.

Located along the Route 9 Corridor just north of the traffic circle at Route 67, The Ellsworth and Malta Center offer apartments, eateries, retail storefronts and a variety of services. 

Forthcoming improvements to Malta Center include enhanced landscaping and visibility along Route 9; paving and parking upgrades; uniform awnings along the building exterior; and new signage throughout the property. 

Galway Teen Killed in Single-Car Rollover

SARATOGA COUNTY — On June 26 Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Hans Creek Road in the Town of Providence shortly before 8 p.m. for a report of a one-car, rollover crash with serious injuries and entrapment. 

The involved vehicle was occupied only by its driver, 17-year-old Tyler Scocca of Galway. Scocca suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Saratoga County Coroner Anthony Perniciaro, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

The investigation indicated that Scocca was heading west on Hans Creek Road, west of Fayville Road, when he lost control, left the south side of the roadway and rolled over striking a tree. Unsafe speed appears to be a contributing factor in the crash, according to authorities. 

June 24 – June 30, 2023

Saratoga Springs Police

Gurnoor Singh, 26, of Latham, was charged with criminal trespass. 

Ricardo Gauna, 38, of Wilton, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Brent Bovee, 33, of Corinth, was charged with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, aggravated unlicensed operation, moved from lane unsafely, and failure to notify DMV of address change. 

Neil Pederson, 71, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. 

Timothy Everhardt, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged with criminal contempt, aggravated harassment, and aggravated family offense.  

Joseph Solevo, 35, of Milton, was charged with criminal contempt. 

Christina Marra, 24, of Clifton Park, was charged with DWI, moved from lane unsafely, drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle on highway, and passing a red light. 

Mark McGreevy, 64, of Wilmington, Delaware, was charged with assault, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. 

Ricardo Henderson, 32, of Schenectady, was charged with DWI, and driving the wrong direction on a one-way street. 

On Friday June 16, members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department Investigations Division conducted 37 in person residence checks of those required to register on the New York State Sex Offender Registry and reside in the City of Saratoga Springs. Those who are required to register in New York are classified into three levels. Level 1 and Level 2 offenders are required to report their address yearly with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, and are required to report every three years for a photograph to be taken.  Level 3 offenders are required to report every 90 days to the local police agency, and have a photo taken every year.  Any changes to residency status for all three levels must be reported within 10 days to the local police agency for updating to DCJS. These visits were conducted for all three levels living within the city of Saratoga Springs. The Investigations Division is responsible for maintaining registry information and to ensure compliance with reporting to DCJS on changes, and update information of those required to register. These surprise checks were conducted to proactively ensure that those required to register and maintain current information with the Saratoga Springs Police Department were doing so. For more information on the New York State Sex Offender Registry, visit: www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office

On June 17, the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit and Road Patrol charged Timothy N. Perkins Jr., 35, of Milton with criminal sexual act in the first-degree, sexual abuse in the first-degree, and endangering the welfare of a child, in connection with a suspected sex offense at a residence on Adirondack Circle in the town of Wilton. Perkins allegedly had sexual contact with a child less than 17 years old known to him. He was sent to Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 cash bail/$150,000 bond.

On June 16, patrols responded to a report of a 14-year-old who had been assaulted on Geyser Road in the town of Milton. Following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit, it was determined that the juvenile had been assaulted by a person known to him, shot in the face with a pellet or Airsoft type gun and had property stolen from him. The suspect, a 14-year-old boy, was located and charged with robbery in the first-degree, a felony. He was arraigned in Waterford Town Court by Judge Kopach, and released to the custody of his mother. He is scheduled to appear in Saratoga County Family Court at a later date. The victim was treated at Saratoga Hospital and released. 

Saratoga County Court

Dean E. Harrington, 54, of Corinth, was sentenced June 15 to serve two, 1-year local incarceration sentences to run concurrently, after pleading to attempted strangulation, and criminal mischief.  

Kip E. Asmus, 40, of Schenectady, pleaded June 16 to felony DWI, charged July 2022 in Waterford. Sentencing Sept. 11. 

Thomas B. Waicul, 50, of Halfmoon, was sentenced 1-1/2 to 4-1/2 years incarceration, after pleading to felony DWI, charged October 2022 in Saratoga Springs.   

Logan J. Corkins, 19, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded to attempted rape in the first-degree, in connection with charges in the town of Milton, and the city of Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Sept. 12. 

Layne A. Sheikowitz, 32, of Moreau, pleaded June 21 to felony DWI, charged January 2023 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Aug. 25.

Gaston Gagné 

ALBANY — Gaston “Gus” Gagné of Albany, NY, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather passed away on June 21, 2023, at the age of 95. He was born on August 2, 1927, in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, to John and Emma Gagné. Gus was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers, son-in-law Ken Shaver, and daughter-in-law Diana Gagné.

At the age of 20, Gus married Doreen Davis on December 26, 1947, in Brockville, Ontario, Canada. They had three children and later moved to Albany, NY, in 1957, where Gus worked as a printer for the Albany Times Union. In 1961, they moved to East Greenbush where they had three more children. 

Gus was a loving husband and father who adored his family. He is survived by his wife of 75 years Doreen; his sister Theresa Millette; six children: Larry Gagné, Eileen Rude (Dave), Teresa Wessels (Jim), Marion Morris (Mike), Joseph Gagné (Kim), and John Gagné (Monica). Gus and Doreen were blessed with 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

In 1970, Gus lost his eyesight completely and had to resign from the Albany Times Union. He helped his wife Doreen work for the Northeastern Association for the Blind at Albany, housing blind students in their home for almost 10 years. Despite his blindness, Gus remained active and enjoyed bowling. He was the President of the American Blind Bowlers Association for many years until he took up golfing. Gus became the President of the Capital District Blind Golfers Association and served in that role for over 20 years. In 2004 he played in his last golf tournament, in Florida, placing first. 

Gus golfed with many celebrities, including Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Flip Wilson, and Glen Campbell. He was also good friends with professional golfer Ken Venturi. In 1987, Gus was invited to play in a golf tournament in Scotland, playing with several Scottish dignitaries. 

Gus was a member of the Church of Christ in Glens Falls. He loved his Lord and Savior; he’s now enjoying eternity with Jesus and His Heavenly Father! 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northeastern Association for the Blind at Albany. Gus will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but his memory will live on forever.

“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ “ 1 Corinthians 2:9

Barbara R. Babson 

WESTFIELD, MA — Barbara R. Babson passed away June 20, 2023. Calling hours will be from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Compassionate Funeral Care, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A private graveside service will be held in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, NY. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

Edward R. Knapp 

BALLSTON SPA — Edward R. Knapp died June 26. A service will be 6 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at Compassionate Funeral Care. Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 3 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

Albert Thomas Green Jr. 

CLIFTON PARK — Albert Thomas Green Jr. of Clifton Park died on June 27, 2023 with his family by his side. His family will gather for a small service on Friday, June 30 in Saratoga Springs. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com