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Author: Saratoga TODAY

July 8 – July 14, 2023

Saratoga Police

James Ballestro, Jr., 66, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 2 with menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon. 

Steven Byrd, 27, of South Carolina, was charged June 30 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Aidan Rosettie, 18, of Gansevoort, was charged June 30 with arson, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass.

Timothy Sims, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 28 with menacing, resisting arrest, criminal possession of a weapon, and obstructing governmental administration. 

Mazie McCormick, 31, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 27 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Michael Scensny, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 25 with criminal mischief. 

Bekeim McCall, 39, of Troy, was charged June 25 with motor vehicle registration suspended, operating without an inspection certificate, and inadequate lights – vehicle equipment violation.

Tony Green, 24, of South Glens Falls, was charged June 25 with obstructing governmental administration. 

Jeremy Green, 36, of Glens Falls was charged June 25 with disorderly conduct: fight/violent behavior. 

Kenneth Hunter, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 24 with criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense. 

Sam Horan, 33, of Connecticut, was charged June 24 with DWI, aggravated DWI, speeding, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Timothy Sims, 33, no address given, was charged June 24 with obstructing governmental administration, and assault. 

Robert Loya, Jr., 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 24 with criminal mischief. 

Jamaine Myers, 45, of Troy, was charged June 24 with obstructing governmental administration, criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense. 

Carly Marcucci, 38, of Albany, was charged June 24 with DWI, aggravated DWI, and driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

Chad Lang, 49, of Saratoga Springs, was charged June 24 with criminal possession of stolen property, and June 23 with criminal trespass, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

James Greco, 47, of Wynantskill, was charged June 23 with criminal possession of a narcotic, criminal use drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle without inspection certificate, vehicle equipment violation, and two counts criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Erik Shepard, 32, of Fort Ann, was charged June 20 with petit larceny. 

County Court

Nicholas Hendricks, 29, of Brooklyn, was sentenced July 5 to 2 to 4 years’ incarceration, after pleading to criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second-degree, charged October 2022 in Wilton. 

Jeremy Allen, 35, of Mechanicville, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years’ incarceration, after pleading to failure to register as a sex offender. 

NYS Police

On July 4, State Police of Wilton charged Peter W. Winslow II, 40, of Corinth, with burglary in the second-degree, criminal mischief in the third-degree, criminal obstruction of breathing, and harassment in the second-degree, after troopers responded to a home in Corinth, for the reports of a burglary in progress. Winslow is accused of forcibly entering the home, causing damage, and becoming engaged in a physical altercation with the resident inside. 

State Police of Wilton charged Alexa M. Scott, 29, of Fort Ann, with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, bail jumping in the second degree, criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second-degree, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree, resisting arrest, and false personation. Additionally, Christopher S. Wern, 39, of Queensbury, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree and two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second-degree. The arrests occurred after troopers stopped a vehicle on Spier Falls Road in Moreau, for a suspected Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver allegedly was identified as Wern, and the investigation determined he did not have a valid driver’s license. The passenger was uncooperative and provided false identifying information but was later identified as Scott, according to police. It was determined Scott had an outstanding warrant for her arrest issued by the Moreau Town Court.
Drug paraphernalia was in plain sight within the vehicle, and both were arrested, at which time Scott resisted, police said. Both were allegedly found to possess controlled substances, and Scott to have concealed felony-weight narcotics.

Diane A. Sacala 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Diane A. Sacala passed away on July 9, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at her home. She has taken her place of honor among the angels in heaven. She was 88-years-old.

Diane was born on January 30, 1935 in Troy, NY. She was daughter to the late Helen (Yamin) and Joseph A. Jabour. She grew up as one of seven siblings. Diane went to beauty school to work as a hairstylist, and opened Belinda Ann’s Beauty Shop, a salon she ran out of her home. She was an avid bowler, loved golf, old country music and spending time with her family and friends. A woman of faith, Diane was a member of the Catholic Church, and spent many days volunteering her time at the hospital guild. 

Diane was married to the love of her life, the late John J. Sacala in November 1963. Together they had four children. She was a devoted wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Diane’s house was welcoming and open to whomever needed a place to stay. She made everything from scratch: popsicles, yogurt, shortbread cookies – and of course the traditional dishes she would make for holidays like kibbeh, Lebanese grape leaves and pierogies. 

In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Diane is predeceased by her brother Solomon Jabour.

Diane is survived by her sisters Marsha Ernest, Helen Dundon, Elaine Miakisz, Rose Wertman and her brother Joseph Jabour. She is also survived by her children Joseph (Jamie) Sacala, Belinda (Shawn) Quick, Mark Sacala, and Scott (Jamie L. Cotter) Sacala; her niece Melissa Jabour; as well as 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and friends. She will be dearly missed.

A Mass will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, July 14 at St. Joseph’s Church, 3159 State Hwy 9N, Greenfield Center. 

Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Diane’s Life at her home following services at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s memory can be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga County. communityhospice.org 518-724-0242

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Mildred Hoyle Meeker

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mildred Hoyle Meeker, 100, died July 8, 2023 at Saratoga Hospital. Mildred will be laid to rest with her late husband at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Joseph William Meuse III 

BROADALBIN, NY — Joseph William Meuse III passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Saratoga Hospital. Visitation will be  on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 12 – 2 p.m. at the Burke Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com 

Richard J. Blaich

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Richard J. Blaich died on July 8, 2023. A memorial service will be Friday, July 21, 2023 at 6 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care. Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. prior to the service. A private burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

Warren A. Cicotte 

SALEM — Warren A. Cicotte passed away July 8, 2023. At the family’s request there will be no service at this time. “If I leave you, it doesn’t mean I love you any less, keep me in your heart for a while…” – Warren Zevon. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

Albert E. Brooks  

MECHANICVILLE — Albert E. Brooks died July 9, 2023. At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or service at this time. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

Mary Ellen Tarantino 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mary Ellen Tarantino passed away on July 6, 2023 at Shaker Place in Albany. She was born on April 8, 1938 in Saranac Lake to her parents, the late Bertha Mae Duquette and George LaDue. She came to Saratoga Springs with her family and ultimately graduated from Saratoga Springs High School. She always said some of her best memories were being with her extensive group of friends, where she would hang out at The Victoria Pool and Saratoga State Park. Mary Ellen was a dark-haired beauty with an eye for fashion, who was always beautifully pressed and dressed. 

Upon graduating high school, she attended Grace Downs Airline School and while there in NYC, she was employed by Union Carbide Corp. for two years. She returned to Saratoga Springs to take a bank teller job at the Adirondack Trust Company. She then married her beloved husband Joseph Tarantino, and they celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2010. When her children were grown, she became employed by Congressman Gerald Solomon for 20 years. 

Her hobbies included sewing adorable dresses for her young daughters and had an eye for art with ceramics, where she made heartfelt lighted Christmas Trees. She volunteered for many organizations, one of which was running lunchroom at St. Peter’s High School. She enjoyed walks through The Avenue of Pines and Congress Park. Her daily “go-to” was Saratoga Casino where she would meet friends for lunch and would smile wryly when she had a big win at the slot machines. She loved a night out at Morton’s Restaurant with family. She enjoyed horse racing and rooting for her favorite horses. Even up to her last day driving at 84 years old, on her nightly ritual she could be seen in her black Rav4 with the designated MET15 license plate going to buy scratch off lotteries at Stewarts and then riding by her loved ones’ houses on her way home to see if they were all tucked in for the night. She will be greatly missed by her family.

She and her husband traveled to many fun places including Bermuda, Germany, Curacao Island, California, wintered in Flagler Beach, Florida and went on family vacations in Maine. 

Along with her parents, Mary Ellen was predeceased by her husband Joe Tarantino, Jr. and her brothers Albert (Bing) LaDue and Frank LaDue. She is survived by her loving daughters, Sue Jeffreys and Joanne Tarantino; her beloved grandchildren Andrew Jeffreys (Allie Cox), Mia Jeffreys (Lenny Valvano) and Aspen Witt (Jeff Ridha); her sons-in-law William Jeffreys and John Witt; and her brother Jimmy LaDue (Barbara), all who are from Saratoga Springs. She also leaves behind her brother John LaDue (Karen) from Florida; her sister-in-law Penny LaDue from Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were private.

Memorial donations may be made in her honor to thsaratoga.org online or by mail to: Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, 683 NY-29, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Saratoga History Center Presents Five Historian’s Tours

Ballston’s “Chocolate Factory” Photo provided. 

BALLSTON SPA — After a successful launch of Saratoga County Historian’s tours in 2022, the History Center at Brookside Museum has announced five tours will take place from mid-July through September. 

“Getting your feet on the ground where history happened is an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of our modern communities,” Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian said in a statement. “These walks reveal a glimpse of the past while providing context for the places we drive by every day.” 

Each of the tour leaders are experienced historians with a depth of knowledge about their communities and the people who lived there. Tours are scheduled for 90 minutes and distances vary up to 1.5 miles. 

Wednesday, July 19, 10 a.m. – Hillside Cemetery & Burnt Hills Baptist Church. Ballston Town Historian Rick Reynolds will explain how the Town of Ballston is preserving its past in Hillside Cemetery and tell stories of those buried there.

Thursday, Aug. 17, 1 p.m. – Round Lake. Village Historian Lance Spallholz and Scott Rigney will describe the community’s history which started in 1868 as a location for Methodist Camp meetings. The unique architecture of the village’s buildings will be on display.

Friday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. – Ballston Spa Sensory Tour. Anne Clothier, Education Director at Brookside Museum, will explore the sights, sounds and smells of days of olde. Bring your children and grandchildren to this tour!

Saturday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. – Historic Jonesville. Join Clifton Park Historian John Scherer for a walk through the historic hamlet of Jonesville and a tour of the Jonesville Rural Cemetery.

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m. – Waterford 1810-1880.  Russ Vandervoort, Waterford Town Historian will lead a walking tour of downtown Waterford, describing local landmarks and influential residents who lived there in the mid-19th century.

Registration must be made in advance at brooksidemuseum.org/events. A suggested donation of $10 per registration (individuals, couples or families) will support the programs of the History Center and a not-for-profit organization chosen by the tour leaders. Specific directions and parking locations will be provided to registrants in advance of the tour dates. For more information, call the History Center at 518-885-4000 or visit www.brooksidemuseum.org