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Author: Saratoga TODAY

March 25 – March 21, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga Court 

Joshua E. Pelletier, 33, of Gansevoort, pleaded March 16 to felony DWI, first charged Dec. 31, 2022 in the town of Wilton. Sentencing May 18. 

Trever M. Murphy, 42, of Norfolk, Virginia, was sentenced March 17 to 1 to 3 years’ incarceration, after pleading to felony grand larceny, first charged October 2022 in Saratoga Springs. 

Sylvester Flora, 26, of Schenectady, pleaded March 17 to felony criminal possession of property, first charged December 2022 in Clifton Park. Sentencing May 18. 

Trevor Gould, 33, of Mechanicville, pleaded March 17 to felony criminal possession of a weapon, first charged December 2022 in Malta. Sentencing May 19. 

Pasquale Zucaro, 46, of Troy, pleaded March 17 to felony grand larceny, first charged November 2022. Sentencing May 12. 

Thomas B. Waicul, 50, of Halfmoon, pleaded March 20 to felony DWI, first charged October 2022 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing May 1. 

Saratoga Springs Police Dept

Ursula Mangir, 33, of Argyle, was charged March 16 with criminal contempt. 

Amani Minix, 18, of Hudson Falls, was charged March 15 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating without stop lamps, and failure to use signal lights.

Joanna Bedford, 31, of Stillwater, was charged March 14 with grand larceny, and petit larceny. 

Danielle Dennison, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 14 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and operating without adequate lights. 

Eryn Kelley, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 14 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and an equipment violation. 

Bradford Bayer, 36, of Greenfield Center, was charged March 12 with criminal contempt, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Carolyn Lyons, 39, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 11 with DWI, aggravated DWI, speed not reasonable, and moved from lane unsafely. 

NY State Police

On March 16, State Police of Clifton Park arrested Brendan J. Ryder, 28, of Cohoes, who was subsequently charged with Making a Terroristic Threat, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Police say on March 15, at about 2:30 p.m., Troopers responded to a childcare center in Clifton Park, for a report of a bomb threat. Following an investigation, Ryder is suspected  of having called the center and stated, “bomb threat.” The staff at the center activated their well-developed emergency response plan and removed the children and staff from the building to a safe location. The building was searched with the assistance of K9 officers and found to be safe. No one was injured during the incident, and no explosive materials were located. Ryder was processed at SP Clifton Park. He was arraigned at the Clifton Park Town Court and sent to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail.

On March 15, 2023, State Police of Wilton arrested David C. Fuller, 59, of Moreau, who was subsequently charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third-degree. Police say on March 11, at about 11:47 p.m., Troopers responded to a home in Moreau, for the reports of a domestic dispute. On arrival, the victim exited the home and advised Fuller was still inside and threatened the use of a firearm to injure Law Enforcement. After a brief period, Fuller came out of the home and was taken into custody. Further investigation located an illegally-possessed noncompliant rifle and a high-capacity magazine within the home, according to authorities. The firearms, along with additional legally-owned firearms, were seized as a result of a court order. Fuller was processed at SP Wilton on March 15, and was arraigned at the Moreau Town Court and sent to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 cash bail, $5,000 bond or $10,000 partially secured bond.  

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office

On March 19, at about 7:40 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputies and EMS responded to 157 Howe Road in the town of Greenfield for the report of a female with a gunshot wound to the head. It was reported that Joseph R. Cuva Sr., 74, had just finished cleaning his 9 MM pistol and was loading it when the gun discharged striking his wife, 74-year-old Charlene F. Cuva in the head killing her. Mrs. Cuva was in another room of the home when she was struck and the bullet passed through a wall before striking her, police said. The investigation into the death is on-going. 

Mickey Walczak

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Former Saratoga High star Mickey Walczak passed away at home in his sleep in the early morning hours of March 28, 2023. He joined his parents and sister Sherry in heavenly peace following a lengthy and often private battle with cancer.

Born in Saratoga on November 22, 1959, Mick was the son of local business owners Jeannie and Eddie Walczak. In a cruel twist of fate, oldest sibling and only sister Sherry very sadly just passed away in January, making Mick’s passing even more heartbreaking for his son Dillon and the entire family and their many friends.

From early on, it was clear to see that Mickey was destined to become a sports star. He quickly became a dominant force on the courts of Biddie and CYO Basketball in a precursor of what was yet to come. He was blessed to play for Bob King, the first of three legendary local coaches he had throughout his career and helped lead his CYO team to a State Championship. Even in his CYO days, Mickey already had a powerful physique that made him appear to be a man among boys.

In spite of only briefly playing Pop Warner because of weight restrictions and having not begun his football career until his Junior year, Mickey made the most of those two seasons under the tutelage of Blase Iuliano, Saratoga’s legendary football coach. 

When speaking to Coach Iuliano about Mickey’s impact on the Saratoga program, he quickly stated that “Mickey was the best all-around player I ever coached. He could’ve started for any one of my 37 teams on offense, defense, and on special teams as a punter and returner.” Mickey rushed for over 1000 yards both his Junior and Senior year and was Team Captain of the undefeated Foothills champions in 1977. He was named to the All New York State Team following his Senior year.

Coach Iuliano went on to say “I was very proud of Mickey’s accomplishments at Saratoga and his outstanding career at West Virginia. He will always be remembered in Saratoga lore as one of our finest football players.” In closing he added, “Thanks for the memories, Mickey. Rest in peace my friend.”

When speaking of lore, Mickey’s lifelong friends, classmates & teammates, Tim Doherty and Rob Bruce, recalled an epic punt that Mick kicked in a crucial play late in their championship game against Glens Falls. Mick’s rain-soaked punt soared for well over 70+ yards and saved the victory. It was actually his punting prowess that initially had WVU recruiting him, per cousin Chip Williams, but they soon learned that he was a gutsy runner and savvy receiver out of the backfield, too.

Whenever reminiscing about growing up in Saratoga, Mickey and his close friends would often talk about tales of fishing at Yaddo, Saratoga Lake and Lake Lonely, and of diving contests off the rocks at the stone quarry by the old Stewarts Pond Dam. These adventures were every bit as much a part of their sporting history as their traditional teams and games and became stories of legend over the years.

Mickey would go on to lead WVU to an upset 26-6 victory over the Florida Gators in the 1981 Peach Bowl in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve. He had 8 catches from the wing and scored 2 touchdowns and was named Offensive MVP. Upon returning home, Mick was presented with the Key to Saratoga at City Hall.

And then there was Mickey’s first love, basketball. He played for 3 years under another legendary Saratoga coach, Damian Fantauzzi, and was named to Bob McNamara’s Channel 6 All Star Team as a Junior. He would become Captain of the only team in Saratoga history to go undefeated in the regular season in his Senior year in 1977-78 and helped lead them to the Foothills crown and to a runner-up finish in a 1-point thriller against Niskayuna in the Section II AA Championship. They would end the season with a 20-1 record.

Following his graduation from West Virginia with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Mick would move to New York City where he was an Investment Broker with a Series 7 license registered with the NASD & SEC. After his years in the financial world, he decided to move on to a new career in golf course design and development with the Golf Group in the United States, and real estate development in Quebec, Canada.

The pull of his son and love for Saratoga eventually brought him back home, where in more recent years he was a doting Grandfather to Aaliyah and Luna, while eagerly anticipating the soon-to-be birth of his third granddaughter, Isla, and enjoyed time at home with Dillon and his girls.

In 2017, Mickey was inducted into the Capital District Football Hall of Fame.

Mickey is survived by his son Dillon (Sori) and granddaughters Aaliyah, Luna and newborn Isla (who arrived in the wee hours of Saturday, March 25), and brothers Todd (Joanne), Larry (Veronica) in Saratoga, and youngest brother Scott in California, and nephews Leighton Anderson and Blake Walczak (Dyanna), and niece Amanda Harkness (Brian) and step-niece Alexis Peschieri, great-niece Alexis Erwin-Davis (Cheljean) and great-nephews Makiah and Lucious Anderson, and many other relatives, including close cousins Chip Williams (Mia Briggs) and Sandy Williams Walker. He is forever grateful for old neighborhood friends Neal Galvin, John “Moon” Mullen, John & Tony McCarthy and Mike Mullaney, and old teammates and friends Rory Beagle, John Dwyer, the late Mike Beach, Tim Doherty, Rob Bruce, and “Sweet” Lou Maggiore from his CYO days.

Mick wanted to thank his son Dillon, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation for all their help, and he asked that any donations in his memory be sent to them at 1 Marcus Blvd. #404 Albany, New York 12205.

A Celebration of Life in the future is pending. Arrangements are being made by the Compassionate Care Funeral Home.

George A. Germain 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

AMSTERDAM — George A. Germain (Jorge from Galway), passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023. Calling hours will be held April 3 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. A service will be held immediately following calling hours. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

Thomas (“Titt”/TT) Jones, Jr.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

WILTON — Thomas (“Titt”/TT) Jones Jr, died March 24. Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. to  1 p.m. on Friday, March 31 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. Saratoga Springs. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

Spencer P. Hellwig, Jr. 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spencer P. Hellwig, Jr. passed away at home on 3/23/23. Calling hours were 3/29/23 at Burke Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be private. Memorial donations to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs or Shriners Hospital for Children. Visit burkefuneralhome.com

Jennifer Renee Briscoe  

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MILLSBORA, DE — Jennifer Renee Briscoe died March 24. Calling hours were held March 30  at Compassionate Funeral Care. A Celebration of Life Service immediately followed. Burial will be at St Peter’s Cemetery, March 31 at 11 a.m. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com

Betty Ballou 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Betty Ballou, age 74, passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at home. A graveside service was held on Monday, March 27, 2023 at Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com

Happy 30th Anniversary to… Northeast Woodworkers Showcase

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Photo by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan

SARATOGA SPRINGS —  The annual Saratoga Northeast Woodworkers Showcase celebrated it’s 30th anniversary this past weekend on March 25 and 26 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

What started 30 years ago, with the humble beginning of being held at a high school – put on by a few dedicated woodworkers – now has over 600 members with a show occupying over 15,000 square feet.

The Northeast Woodworkers Showcase highlights all areas of the art of woodworking in a dedicated exhibit room featuring over 500 exhibits of original designed fine furniture, wood sculpture, carvings, intarsia, musical instruments, exquisite turnings, toys, accessories, and all other things crafted of wood. 

Exhibits, both amateur and professional, were judged, in multiple categories, including Best of Show and Peoples Choice.

Pictured is a popular piece of the Showcase and first place winner in the Adirondack category by Alan Adler “Child’s Adirondack chair for Granddaughter, Tabitha.”

In addition to the exhibits, there were numerous national and regional trade vendors offering wide varieties of wood and woodworking related tools for all skill levels. Master craftsmen presented lectures and demonstrations on a wide range of woodworking topics. 

For more information about the Northeastern Woodworkers Association and to see a list of showcase winners go online to woodworker.org

Saratoga Springs History Museum Presents ‘George Washington & Saratoga: It’s Complicated: A Talk by Local Writer John Oliver’

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs History Museum presents its first evening program of 2023: “George Washington & Saratoga: It’s Complicated: A Talk by Local Writer John Oliver” on Thursday, April 27 from 7–8:30 p.m. at Saratoga Springs History Museum in the Canfield Casino, 1 E. Congress St, Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga and Washington bumped into each other twice: once when the city almost cost him his job as commander of the Continental Army and the other time when he visited the village on a secret real estate mission. On both occasions, he wasn’t at all happy with Saratoga. In this special presentation, local writer John Oliver reveals a Washington you didn’t learn about in school, discusses what drove him so relentlessly and shows why, as one historian says, GW’s in our wallets, but not in our hearts. Join us for an astonishing look at the Father of Our Nation.

John Oliver, pen name JPV Oliver, Gent, is a former docent at the Saratoga Springs History Museum and an amateur historian focusing on the American experiment.

Tickets for the presentation are free for museum members, $10 for the general public: www.simpletix.com/e/george-washington-saratoga-its-complicated-tickets-128957

For more information, call 518-584-6920 or visit www.saratogahistory.org

Woods Hollow Nature Preserve: Ballston Spa Discusses Sale

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business, Featured.

Photo by Super Source Media Studios.

MILTON — The town of Milton and the village of Ballston Spa continue to discuss an agreement for Milton to purchase the Woods Hollow Nature Preserve from the Village.

The nature preserve is located in the town of Milton but is currently owned by the village of Ballston Spa. Milton Town Supervisor Scott Ostrander said the town has been paying for maintenance of the preserve for “probably the last 30 years,” at a cost of roughly $8,000 to $10,000 per year.

A memorandum of agreement was signed between the municipalities on March 17. The agreement is not a formal contract nor legally binding but is a mutual understanding between the two parties to work toward the listed terms.

The memorandum states the sale price would be $360,000, and that the preserve would receive a conservation easement designating it as ‘forever wild,’ with minor exceptions.

Exceptions would be for maintenance and emergency response vehicles, for forest management work, and construction of minor unenclosed structures and benches, Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi, Jr. said in a Facebook post.

The deal would also ensure that the Village of Ballston Spa does not face any liability for the cancellation of its contract with the Saratoga Land Management Corporation (LUMAC), who the Village had hired to conduct tree-cutting on dead or dying trees in the preserve. Rossi said that no trees in the preserve were taken down under the contract.

Milton has raised funds for the purchase through “the sale of land to the Community Emergency Corps, monies paid in lieu of parklands by our development committee, and through the Saratoga County Open Space Preservation Grant Program,” according to a statement released on the town’s Facebook page.

As part of the agreement, Milton would establish water districts within four to six months of the sale, and handle snow removal, treatment, and brush pickup in the Colonial Hills neighborhood for the next five years. The town would also recognize the need to increase its annual support for the Ballston Spa Public Library and the Ballston Spa Village Pool, according to the memorandum.

The Town of Milton would plan to make some improvements to the preserve, but Ostrander said they are mainly looking at “preserving it the way it is.”

“We basically want to keep it forever wild, like it looks now,” Ostrander told Saratoga Today on March 22.

He said the town would look to pave the main parking lot off Northline Road and pull-in entrances off Rowland Street, add more benches throughout the preserve, and clean up trails and surrounding areas.

The Town of Milton voted to approve the terms of the memorandum at their Town Board meeting on March 22. 

Ballston Spa held a Board of Trustees meeting on March 27, where the Board voted against placing Woods Hollow into the village surplus. Some trustees at the meeting raised concerns over proper publicization of the agreement, as well as rights to water in the preserve. 

The memorandum states, “The Village retains any and all water and mineral rights but neither party can mine.” Rossi said that while some Village trustees spoke of concerns over potentially signing away future water rights in the preserve, he felt it was “resolved” based on feedback from the audience at Monday’s meeting.

Declaring surplus is a needed step to move forward in the sale process, Rossi said.

“That was disappointing that we weren’t able to get there, but we’ll see where it goes,” said Rossi.

Ostrander also said it was “disappointing” that the Village was unable to move forward.

“At this point, the attorneys are trying to work out the details,” Ostrander said on Wednesday. “Like I said, we signed the memorandum. The Town of Milton’s all set on their end.”

The Ballston Spa Village Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on April 6 to discuss sidewalk and ethics codes, Rossi said. The next Board of Trustees regular meeting will be 7 p.m. on April 10. Rossi said on Wednesday he was unsure of which meeting the topic will be brought up again, saying the Village has to advertise the terms of the agreement.

“I’m just not sure what the timing will be on that,” said Rossi.