SCHUYLERVILLE — Joyce E. Sarro passed away on June 17 at Saratoga Hospital surrounded by her family. A Celebration of Life service will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 6 at the American Legion, 6 Clancy Street, Schuylerville, NY 12871. All are welcome to attend. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lt. Tyler McIntosh has graduated as a member of the 286th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on June 8.
“The graduation of Lt. McIntosh from the National Academy could not have come at a better time, as he is slated to be sworn in as Chief of the Saratoga Springs Police Department upon the retirement of Chief Shane Crooks at the end of this month,” city Commissioner of Public Safety Jim Montagnino said in a statement. “The skills and training received at the National Academy will directly benefit the residents of and visitors to our city.”
The 286th session consisted of 238 law enforcement officers from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 25 countries, five military organizations, and six federal civilian organizations.
MILTON — Thirty-six-year-old Saratoga BLM co-founder Alexis A. Figuereo was issued a court appearance ticket after being charged with misdemeanor DWI in Milton on June 19, according to state Police Incident Report.
Figuereo was stopped on Geyser Road and his blood alcohol content was 0.12% according to a report by WNYT-Newschannel 13.
The legal limit for blood alcohol level in New York is 0.08%.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A 24-year-old local man accused of damaging 18 parked vehicles by standing and jumping on them during a Dead & Co. concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center June 18 was charged with 18 counts of criminal mischief in the third-degree.
State Police said Troopers responded to the Saratoga Spa State Park after receiving reports of an individual damaging parked vehicles in the area of North South Road.
Scott M. Bullard, of Ballston, was taken into custody at the scene, with the assistance of the New York State Police Park Police.
Bullard was transported to SP Wilton for processing and was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Saratoga Springs City Court on July 5. No one was injured during the incident.
SARATOGA COUNTY — A 42-year-old Northumberland man was killed after he was struck by a car June 17 on State Route 32 in the town of Northumberland.
Zachary D. Yeager had been walking southbound on Route 32 just north of the hamlet of Gansevoort when he was struck by a 2005 Honda Accord operated by 56-year-old Dale R. Cox of Schuylerville, who had also been traveling southbound, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.
As a result of the impact, Yeager was propelled into the northbound lane and struck again by a 2012 Acura TSX operated by 40-year-old Jaralyn F. Muzio of Queensbury, who was traveling northbound.
Muzio was subsequently arrested for DWI, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08% or greater, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third-degree, police said.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Collision Reconstruction Unit.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs History Museum will host a discussion 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 of the rich history of the oldest continuously running funeral home in Saratoga Springs, which opened in 1893 as William J. Burke and Sons, Undertaker and Embalmer.
Panel speakers include writer/historian Carol Stone Godette, Burke & Bussing’s Mark Phillips, and Jacqueline Bunge, the History Museum’s Education Director.
The three will discuss Victorian-era mourning and funeral customs; how William Burke’s involvement in the embalming of President Ulysses S Grant led him to open his own funeral home; and the rich history of Burke’s role as one of four operating funeral homes in Saratoga Springs (including Simone’s Funeral Home, Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, and Kark & Tunison Funeral Home). Many historic and personal images from the speakers’ private collections as well as a special display of artifacts will illustrate the talk.
The program takes place at the Canfield Casino, in Congress Park. Admission is free for History Museum members, and $10 for non-members. Tickets and more details at: www.saratogahistory.org/events.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lake Avenue Elementary School held its 12th annual Reader’s Celebration with therapy dogs on Friday, allowing second-grade students the opportunity to practice their reading skills with some canine friends.
Lynn O’Rourke, Lake Ave’s K-2 reading teacher, had been offering a dog therapy program to second-grade students for over 20 years before it was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program returned this year, with O’Rourke saying students enjoy the experience.
On Friday, students sat outside in groups and discussed their books with two therapy dogs. One of the dogs was Luna, brought along by former Lake Ave librarian Kali Nagler, who said she began participating in the program as a way to continue working with children.
“I missed working with kids,” said Nagler. “Having a therapy dog gives me a good excuse to come and visit, or go to Skidmore … She’s got a perfect temperament for it, so it just seemed like a perfect thing to do, to share her with others.”
Nagler said it is “really rewarding” to be a part of the program.
“There’s nothing but pure joy in doing something like this,” Nagler said. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something good. I had to take vacation time to come here today to do this, but that’s how much I love doing it.”
O’Rourke’s class saw four dogs throughout the year, and hopes to have six next year. She said that several classes who did not have the opportunity to participate in the program during the pandemic were invited to do so at various points this year.
O’Rourke said that the Reader’s Celebration is ultimately a positive program that helps kids grow their confidence and reading abilities.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District has announced the hiring of John Goodson as the next Director of Physical Education, Athletics, and Health.
Goodson had spent the previous 13 years in the same position at the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District. He will assume the role on July 17, according to a statement on the SSCSD website.
Goodson said his time at Jamesville-DeWitt has been “great,” and said he and his wife are looking forward to joining the Saratoga Springs community.
“My wife and I are both looking forward to Saratoga, for what Saratoga has to offer,” said Goodson. “The school, the community. The history of the program is strong and rich. I’m looking forward to working with their program.”
“We are excited to welcome John Goodson to our district leadership team,” said SSCSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton in a statement. “John has a very strong background as an athletic administrator, and Jamesville-DeWitt has earned the distinction of being one of the top high school interscholastic athletic programs in the state under John’s leadership. John is looking forward to working closely with our students, teachers, coaches, parents, and the community and continuing the outstanding programs and opportunities that are available to all students here in Saratoga Springs.”
Goodson said he was drawn to the culture of Saratoga and noted the community involvement in the district stood out during his interview process.
“I just love hearing, coming from the superintendent and then every stakeholder in the interview, the value of having leadership in the field of health, physical education, and athletics,” Goodson said. “It wasn’t all just about student-athletes. It was about their overall mental health, physical health. It was just so refreshing.”
Goodson is to replace Nicholas McPartland, who has accepted a role as Principal at Queensbury Middle School. Patton thanked McPartland for his dedication to the district in a statement posted to the district website.
“I would like to thank Nick McPartland for the tremendous job he has done for the past four years leading our physical education, health, and athletics department. Nick has developed a close working relationship with our student-athletes, coaches, and our community and will be missed,” said Patton in the statement.
Prior to his role at Jamesville-DeWitt, Goodson had served as Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics at both the Johnson City Central School District and Sherburne-Earlville Central School District.
Goodson, a native of Clinton, earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Ithaca College, and a master’s degree in athletic administration at the University of Northern Colorado, the release states. He has also received a certificate of advanced study from SUNY Cortland in educational leadership.
He stressed the importance of providing well-rounded care in health, physical education, and athletics, saying keeping students at “the center of our decision-making” will be a top priority.
“They’re the reason that we go to work every day,” Goodson said. “There’s a ton of experiences that I have, both in municipal, intercollegiate, high school athletics. But I’m always going to keep the student as my center, as my focus.”
Goodson said his first step in his new role will be simply “to listen.”
“I want to hear what they’ve been working on,” said Goodson. “I want the people to be involved in setting the mission statement, if you will, and setting the action plan. That’s what I’ll be doing. I’ll be meeting with all the stakeholder groups, listening, and then developing an action plan to move forward.”
SHREVEPORT, LA — Jessica Alaynick from the Jason Morris Judo Center in Glenville won a Gold Medal in the +78kg division June 17 at the Junior Judo Olympics, held at the Shreveport Convention Center in Louisiana.
This event was also the qualifier for Team USA to compete at the Junior World Judo Championships later this year in Coimbra, Portugal, from Oct 4-7.
Alaynick became the 29th overall athlete from the JMJC to make a Jr. World team, which includes Jessica’s older brother Chris, who was a Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School Graduate.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The sun was shining on Lake Lonely for the annual Father’s Day Kids’ Fishing Derby on June 18, as kids and their fathers or guardians spent the morning casting out their lines.
The Derby, which is free to attend, offered free food and drinks along with prizes for participating kids.
“Hopefully it’ll lead some kids down the right track,” said Dan Price, a member of the Saratoga Basspointers Club.
The Saratoga Springs Police and Fire Departments were on hand, bringing along a police horse and firetruck for interactions and photos. Members of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation participate as well, helping show kids how to properly catch and release fish.
“I like when the DEC comes, because they really go to the kids and say, ‘This is how you get them, this is how you put them back,’” said Price. “It’s a learning thing too.”
The derby is sponsored by the Saratoga Basspointers Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2586, Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters Union No. 343, Saratoga Springs Recreation Department, Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge No. 161, D&D Marine Services, Saratoga Tackle, Wiggly Worm, and other local organizations.
Members of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge were also on hand, relaying information to parents regarding the Elks National Foundation Drug Awareness Program.
The derby offers prizes for several categories: pike, sunfish, bass, and pickerel. Price said that prizes would be given out to each kid who participated.
“(We’re) trying to get these kids into it,” Price said. “I remember my first fish.”
With a large crowd in attendance, Price made note of the community involvement, saying a participant at a recent fishing tournament donated his proceeds to the Derby.
“We had a guy that won second place the other day, he said, ‘This is for the kids,’ which was really cool,” Price said. “The kids get a kick out of it, that’s the biggest thing.”
