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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga County Announces Lifeguard Training Sponsorships Available for Youth Ages 15 to 17

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services has sponsorships available for residents ages 15 to 17 years old who would like to become lifeguards. The sponsorships will provide eligible residents with the opportunity to take the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training.

 Applications are available on the Saratoga County website at www.saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS.

 Those interested must participate in a pre-requisite swim at the Saratoga Springs YMCA (290 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs) on February 1st from 1-3pm. This requirement will take approximately two hours. Participants will take part in swimming 300 to 500 yards continuously (depending on pool or waterfront certification), treading water hands-free, and retrieving a weight, both under time limits. 

Participants will be eligible to apply for sponsorship upon completion of these components. The deadline for singing up for the pre-requisite swim is through January 30th.

 Classes for the water skills portion of the Lifeguard Training will take place from February through April. 

 Students will be certified in American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, AED and Water Rescue Skills. These classes will provide pool certification. Waterfront certification is available upon request and requires additional skills.

 The program is provided through funding from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

 For more information, please contact the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4101 or visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS.

Law Firm Expanding Presence in Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC has signed a lease for a bigger office in Saratoga Springs.

The new space, located at One Congress Plaza, is slightly more than 11,000 square feet, more than four times the size of Bond’s current Saratoga office. It’s expected to open in late spring 2026.

Bond is a sizable firm with more than 10 offices scattered across New York State, in addition to offices in Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Kansas. 

“We opened our first office in Saratoga nine years ago. Since then, we have seen consistent growth in client needs and in the number of attorneys needed to serve those clients,” said Michael Billok, member, in the Saratoga office. “This larger, modern space will enable us to recruit top legal talent, deepen our bench across key practices and continue to provide the best, high-quality service to clients in and around Saratoga.” 

Bond said in a press release that the expanded footprint will allow it to add attorneys and professional staff across locally in-demand practices, such as labor and employment, trusts and estates, real estate, immigration, and health care.

Saratoga Physical Therapy Associates Announces Staff Changes

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Front row, left to right: Senior Partners Matthew O’Neil and Michael Cudahy. Back row, left to right: Junior Partners Randy Baisy, Daniel Mackey, and Matthew Raco. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Physical Therapy Associates (SPTA), which has locations in both Saratoga Springs and Malta, recently announced the addition of new staffers.  

Daniel Mackey, DPT, in Saratoga Springs, and Randy Baisy, DPT, in Malta, both of whom hold doctorates in physical therapy from The Sage Colleges, have joined the practice as junior partners and will assume the roles of clinical managers in their respective locations.  

Matthew Raco, PTA, a clinician with SPTA for 20 years, has also become a junior partner and assumed the position of practice manager, and will continue to deliver patient care. 

“Mackey, Baisy, and Raco are determined to help patients overcome challenges and improve their quality of life,” said Michael Cudahy, a founder of SPTA.  

Cudahy and his fellow senior partner Matthew O’Neil will continue to see patients, as well as focus on the growth, outreach, and operations of SPTA.

CAPTAIN Community Human Services Announces Executive Leadership Transition

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Scott DeMarco, CAPTAIN Community Human Services’ new executive director. 

Andy Gilpin, the new director of strategic initiatives.

Photos via CAPTAIN CHS. 

CLIFTON PARK — CAPTAIN Community Human Services (CHS) recently announced that Scott DeMarco has been appointed its new executive director.

This planned leadership change comes as Andy Gilpin transitions from the executive director role, in light of his progressing ALS diagnosis, while continuing his work with the organization in a strategic leadership capacity. 

Gilpin has served as executive director since 2021, leading a period of growth and expanded impact across Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties. Under his leadership, CAPTAIN CHS increased its reach by more than 30% and grew volunteer engagement to more than 26,000 hours annually, the organization stated in a press release. 

Gilpin has been with CAPTAIN CHS since 2010 and has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly 24 years. He’s devoted much of his career to supporting runaway and homeless youth and strengthening community-based responses to crises. In addition to his role at CAPTAIN CHS, Gilpin also served as co-chair of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services Runaway and Homeless Youth Advisory Committee, co-chair of the Capital Region Advisory Board on Youth Homelessness, co-chair of the Saratoga/North Country Continuum of Care Board, and co-chair of the Coordinated Entry Committee. 

“Serving as executive director has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Gilpin said. “Every day, I’ve been humbled by the resilience of those we serve, inspired by the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and grateful for the unwavering generosity of our supporters. CAPTAIN CHS has always been about neighbors helping neighbors, and I’m confident that spirit will continue to guide this organization into the future.” 

“Andy’s leadership has been transformative for CAPTAIN CHS,” said John Kuznia, chair of CAPTAIN CHS’s board of directors. “His vision, dedication, and compassion have positioned the agency for long-term success. We are deeply grateful for his continued leadership and expertise during this transition and beyond, and we are excited to welcome Scott DeMarco as CAPTAIN CHS’s next Director.”

Through more than 30 programs and services, CAPTAIN CHS aims to protect and nurture children and youth, strengthen families, connect seniors, resolve crises, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, support individuals with emotional challenges, and empower community members to build a brighter future for themselves and their neighbors.

Mildred (Millie) K. Leone (nee Whiting)

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Mildred (Millie) K. Leone (nee Whiting), formerly of 104 Ash Street passed away peacefully on Thursday January 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Wesley Health Care Center. She was 99.

Millie was born on November 27, 1926 in Oakfield, New York, the daughter of the late Ernest and Lillian Bowman Whiting. She was a graduate of Schuylerville High School Class of 1944. She moved to Saratoga Springs when she married her husband Mike Leone, in 1948.

In addition to her parents, Millie was predeceased by her husband Mike Sr., who passed away in 2000, her sons Mickey, Patrick and Lawrence and daughter-in-law Carol.

She is survived by her son Gary and his wife Theresa, daughter Kathryn and her husband Tom, and Maryjane along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

At the request of the family, there will be no calling hours.  

Funeral services were private and burial followed in the family plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave.

The family wishes to acknowledge Wesley Health Care, especially the nurses, CNA’s, aides and staff of 4 Victoria, who were invaluable to our family and the care of our mother Millie.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

James Anthony Graczyk

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

GANSEVOORT – James Anthony Graczyk, 65, passed away on January 18, 2026 from diabetes.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations to the American Diabetes Association, National Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association, your local food pantry, or your local animal shelter. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.

444 Acres of Woodlands Protected in Wilton and Greenfield

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo of Joanne and Thomas Klepetar courtesy of the Klepetar family.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — 444 acres of wooded forestland within the Southern Palmertown Range in the towns of Wilton and Greenfield have been permanently protected, Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) recently announced.

Landowners Joanne and Thomas Klepetar, working in partnership with Saratoga PLAN, ensured that the forested property was protected from development.

“Being temporary stewards of this land has given us, along with our four children, the ability to roam it for the past four decades since acquiring the first parcel in 1988,” the Klepetars said. “Our future hope is to work with PLAN to help develop trails for public access.”

Forested parcels of this size are increasingly rare in Saratoga County, the second-fastest growing county in New York State.

“Growth is an important and inevitable part of Saratoga County’s future, but how and where that growth happens matters,” said Robert Davies, executive director of Saratoga PLAN. “When we work together as a community and plan strategically, protecting places like this helps guide smart growth, build more resilient communities, and maintain the character of the region. After all, we don’t want to lose the very reason people want to live, work, and play here.”

The recently conserved property is part of a larger initiative to protect remaining forestland in the Southern Palmertown Range area, a prioritized conservation area spanning 40,500 acres within the Southern Adirondack Foothills. The area provides a critical corridor for wildlife movement and the ability to adapt to changing climate conditions, said Saratoga PLAN.

The newly-protected, 444-acre property has the potential to play a connecting role in the future expansion of the Sarah B. Foulke Friendship Trails, an envisioned network of more than 50 miles of trails with a core trail running from Saratoga Spa State Park to Moreau Lake State Park.

Ludwig A Martone (JR)

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MECHANICVILLE – Ludwig A Martone (JR) passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Ellis Hospital. A private service was held at JR’s request. Burial was in the Saratoga National Cemetery. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. 

Scott Sacala

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY ¬— Scott J. Sacala passed away on January 19, 2026, at his home. He has taken his place of honor among the angels. He was 55 years old. 

Scott was born on October 29, 1970, in Saratoga Springs, NY. He was son to the late Diane (Jabour) and John J. Sacala. He grew up as one of four siblings. Scott worked for Pompa Brothers, Inc. until he was diagnosed with cancer three years ago. Even though he faced cancer fearlessly, defeating battles and courageously overcoming surgeries his legacy will never be defined by it and remains as this:

Scott married the love of his life, Jamie Cotter-Sacala in May 1991 and together had two daughters and created a life that songs are made of. Scott and Jamie were high school sweethearts and inseparable like a magnet and steel. Scott was so devoted to his wife and family and the beautiful house and property he built and took such great care of. He was hardworking – could fix anything, sincere, a great judge of character and a fierce friend. He always asked how you were doing, always wanted to hear your story, and would help anyone in a time of need – whether you were a close friend or a stranger. Scott was blessed to have a tribe of life-long friends and our Fishski Family and cherished time spent with them on the lake, at the racetrack, on the golf course, and by a bonfire. He loved to go camping in the Adirondacks on Indian Lake with his family, venturing out on his pontoon boat, helping in the garden, spending time with his grandchildren at the park, working with his hands, listening to music and dancing with his wife.

In addition to his father and beloved mother, Scott is predeceased by his father-in-law James Cotter and his best friend and “brother” John Dubrawski.

Scott is survived by his wife Jamie Cotter-Sacala; children Jaclyn (Darbe) Cotter-Older, Kacie (William) Cotter-Harrigan; and grandchildren Fern Cotter-Older and Blakely Cotter-Harrigan. He is also survived by his siblings Joseph (Jamie) Sacala, Mark Sacala, Belinda (Shawn) Quick; as well as his nieces, nephews, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law. He will be dearly missed.

A service will be held on January 31, 2026, at Compassionate Care Funeral Home, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs. Calling hours will be from 1-3 p.m. with a service to follow.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Scott’s Life at the Ballston Spa American Legion Post 234, 23 Pleasant Street, Ballston Spa at 4 p.m. 

In Scott’s memory be kind, do good by your neighbor and may the force be with you.

Online remembrances may be made at compassionatefuneralcare.com.

Albany Airport Announces New Nonstop Service to Denver

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo of the Albany International Airport by Aidan Cahill.

ALBANY — Albany International Airport (ALB) announced last Friday that United Airlines will launch new, year-round nonstop service between Albany and Denver International Airport (DEN), beginning April 30, 2026. The new route will operate daily on a Boeing 737-800.

Denver is one of the nation’s key airline hubs, serving as a gateway to the Mountain West and West Coast.

The new service aligns with ALB’s ongoing Concourse A Revitalization Project, a $13.36 million investment to modernize the gates and passenger areas, which are primarily used by United Airlines.

United currently offers nonstop service from Albany to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD). The addition of Denver further expands United’s network at ALB.

The announcement follows a record-setting year for Albany International Airport. In 2025, just shy of 3.2 million travelers passed through the terminal, marking the busiest year in the airport’s history.

Tickets for United’s Albany–Denver service are available for purchase through united.com and the United mobile app.