GREENFIELD CENTER — George Rowland, Jr. passed away on February 28 at Saratoga Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 10 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Family and friends may call from 3 to 4 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Visit: www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
WILTON — Bryan Owens, age 55, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at home in Wilton. He was born on September 9, 1967, in Oneonta, NY to Jack Owens and Nora (Leggett) Owens.Visit: www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
BALLSTON SPA —Julie Winters passed away on Monday, February 27 at Saratoga Springs Hospital. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, March 8 at Compassionate Funeral Care. Family and friends gathered to remember her at the funeral home. Visit: www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
GLENS FALLS — Robert D. Kearney, 88, died March 4, 2023 at The Pines at Glens Falls Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation. Burial will be in Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, KS at a later time. Memorial donations: Homemade Theater: P.O Box 1182, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Visit www.burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Kelly’s Angels, Inc. announced that it is expanding its mission to include aid for local Ukrainian children, a new initiative dubbed “Hugs for Ukraine.” The program aims to support Ukrainian families with children who are now living in the Capital Region due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Kelly’s Angels lives to bring smiles to the faces of children who are dealing with grief,” explained Mark Mulholland, founder and president of Kelly’s Angels. “As the war in Ukraine continues and some Ukrainian families affected by the war are relocating to our area, we thought it would a meaningful extension of our mission to provide grants to enable these Ukrainian children do something fun, whatever their hearts desire.”
Local schools, churches, and individuals are encouraged to nominate Ukrainian families with children who are now living in the Capital Region due to the war for a one-time grant. Applications are available at KellysAngelsInc.org/Ukraine.
“As a longtime Kelly’s Angels board member and the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, I am especially proud to be an ambassador for the Hugs for Ukraine program,“ said Lydia Kulbida, WTEN TV news anchor. “We hope these grants can lift spirits of children affected by the war and let them know they are supported.”
The Kelly’s Angels Hugs for Ukraine program will run as long as needed, and there is no deadline for submitting applications. Questions can be emailed to KellysAngelsInc@gmail.com.
WILTON — Monthly indoor flea markets at the Wilton Mall this winter have drawn lots of sellers and treasure hunters. The mall’s food court area has been a perfect venue for 75+ vendors selling everything from antiques and collectibles to jewelry and pet supplies.
“We’ve had lots of positive comments from shoppers who love the idea of a flea market at the mall” notes Jim O’Connell, promoter of the Malta Flea Market. “We’re happy to partner with the Wilton Mall to showcase our vendors and bring more shoppers to the facility.”
Upcoming flea markets are scheduled for Sunday 3/19 and Sunday 4/16. For details, visit maltaflea.com
THURMAN — The seventeenth annual Thurman Maple Days, a free three-weekend event, kicks off Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12, continuing through March 26 in the rural town of Thurman, just 20 minutes from Adirondack Northway exit 23.
Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with some variations), this year’s event offers self-guided tours to eight sites, where hosts will explain and demonstrate their respective arts.
Highlighting the event are stops at five maple farms — Mud St. Maple, Toad Hill Maple, Valley Road Maple (serving pancakes, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Hidden Hollow Maple, and, new this year, Candy Mountain Maple. Visitors will see sap being boiled to syrup and learn the various year-round tasks performed at a maple operation and see how the farmers manage their sugarbush for best production.
Weather permitting, Toad Hill will offer wagon rides to the sugarbush. Candy Mountain will have a learning center for kids to see how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) helps the producers to make delicious, sustainably-farmed Maple Syrup.
Thurman Maple Days also offers stops at Nettle Meadow farm, where, weather permitting, visitors can meet and pet the resident sanctuary animals, sample internationally-awarded cheeses, and pick up a hot ham and cheese sandwich for lunch along with maple-cheese bites.
Nearby Martin’s Lumber will host artisans demonstrating and selling such items as wood-burned signs, carved birds, and show how a forge works or how mushrooms can be grown in a bucket. Also at Martins’ and at some other locations around the tour, visitors will find a collection tub for donations to the World Central Kitchen to aid its work feeding the hungry in war-torn Ukraine.
Two activities will be found at the town hall each Saturday, when postal clerks will be on hand to offer the special Thurman Maple Days dated cancellations, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so take your stamped envelope to get yours. See, too, the town hall craft show with unique wares on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find all details about all activities and sites in directories distributed at each site and online at www.VisitThurman.com/maple-days.
Please note that the annual Jack Wax Supper, traditionally held during Maple Days, will be held April 1 this year.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS — The 46th annual South High Marathon Dance, held at South Glens Falls High School from March 3 to 4, has once again raised a significant amount of money for local families and charities.
The total amount, $630,111.07, was announced during the marathon’s closing ceremony on Saturday, March 4. Over the course of the 46-year history of the dance, the students and community have raised more than $10 million.
The funds will benefit 28 recipients – both individuals and organizations from South Glens Falls and neighboring areas.
“Each year, I am amazed by the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and the South High Marathon Dance volunteers to put on this amazing event. I can’t say enough about how incredibly proud I am of each and every person who contributed. Knowing we can help families and community organizations is an amazing experience for our students,” said South Glens Falls Central School District superintendent Kristine Orr. “We truly have an incredible community here in South Glens Falls.”
This year, Logan Mahoney was the top student fundraiser, raising $8,326.85, among many other students – both in the high school and in the middle and elementary schools – who raised thousands of dollars. In addition to the student fundraiser, scores of local businesses held fundraisers for the community, which added thousands to the total amount raised.
This year’s recipients include the families of: Tayton Bowen, Donald Crandall, Crue Duswalt, Kathleen Evarts, Hunter George, Christopher Goodness, Grace Netti, Gabrielle Potter, Aiden Rodriguez, Randy Strong, Shane Walsh, and Megan Willis.
Community organizations receiving donations include: Adirondack Vets House, Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York, Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, Cancer Center Community Crusaders, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Food For Thought, Kelly’s Angels, Inc., Moreau Community Center, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, and Southern Adirondack Independent Living.
The dance itself, which was streamed live at shmdlive.org, began in 1978. The event has progressed from a small dance in the high school gym to an event that brings the entire community together. After two years at Six Flags Great Escape, the dance returned to the high school this year.
“We can’t thank our community enough for their generosity. This marathon would not be possible without the support of countless businesses, organizations, and individuals who donate not only monetarily but their time and effort to make this the best possible experience for our students,” Orr said.
Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office
On Feb. 20, members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit arrested Charles W. Semzock, 36, of Greenfield, after an investigation into a reported attempted sexual assault in the town of Greenfield which had allegedly occurred Feb. 12. Semzock is accused of assaulting an adult female while the two were at a party of friends following the Super Bowl. He was charged with attempted criminal sexual act in the first-degree, strangulation in the second-degree, unlawful imprisonment, and assault, and held in the custody in lieu of $25,000/$50,000/$100,000 bail, pending return to court at a later date.
Saratoga County Court
Kaiah E. All, 24, of Corinth, was sentenced Feb. 22 to 5 years probation, after pleading to criminal possession of a controlled substance, first charged October 2021 in Malta.
Justin D. Traver, 34, of Malta, was sentenced Feb. 22 to 2 months incarceration and 5 years probation, after pleading to felony grand larceny, first charged Augusts 2021 in Ballston Spa.
Gabriel E. Spring, 45, of Corinth, pleaded Feb. 22 to strangulation in the second-degree, a felony. Sentencing June 1.
Caren M. Monahan, 31, of Hudson Falls, was sentenced Feb. 22 to 4 years incarceration, and 3 years post-release supervision, after pleading to criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, first charged October 2022 in Moreau.
Eugene F. Wachtel, 56, of Scotia, was sentenced Feb. 22 to 1.5 to 3 years incarceration, after pleading to felony attempted burglary, first charged October 2021 in Wilton.
Erika T. Brown, 44, of New York, NY, was sentenced to 3.5 years incarceration and 2 years post–release supervision, after pleading to felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, first charged September 2022 in Moreau.
John D. Stevens, 44, of Wayland, Missouri, pleaded Feb. 24 to felony criminal possession of a weapon, first charged December 2022 in Clifton Park. Sentencing April 7.
Cole M. Bowman, 23, of Mechanicville, pleaded Feb. 24 to felony criminal possession of a weapon. Sentencing April 28.
Christopher D. Brewer, 41, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Feb. 24 to attempted burglary in the third-degree, a felony, first charged December 2022 in Ballston Spa. Sentencing April 28.
Scott E. Barnes, 36, of Norwalk, Connecticut, pleaded Feb. 24 to aggravated DWI with child, a felony, first charged July 2022 in Wilton. Sentencing April 28.
Tabatha J. Heitzmann, 42, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Feb. 24 to felony attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance. Sentencing April 28.
James I. Price, 45, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Feb. 24 to felony DWI, first charged January 2023 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing April 28.
Jeremy Allen, 34, of Mechanicville, pleaded Feb. 24 to failure to register as a sex offender. Sentencing May 19.
Raymond Perez, Jr., 33, of New York City, pleaded Feb. 23 to felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, first charged April 2022 in Moreau. Sentencing April 28.
NY State Police
On Feb. 18, State Police of Saratoga arrested John A. Matrazzo, 21, of Ballston, and Charles B. Mccormack III, 22, of Ballston Spa, each for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations, after troopers responded to the report of a motorcycle crash in the area of Lake Road in Ballston. Matrazzo was located and assisted until EMS arrived. The investigation determined Matrazzo and Mccormack III were each operating a dirt bike on the roadway when Matrazzo crashed and suffered injuries. Matrazzo was transported to Ellis Hospital and arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. Mccormack III was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated on scene and transported to SP Saratoga, where he refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of his blood, according to police. He was issued tickets returnable to the Ballston Town Court on March 16 and released to a sober third party. Matrazzo reported to SP Saratoga on Feb. 20 for processing. He is due back in the Ballston Town Court on March 14.
On March 1, State Police of Latham arrested Anthony P. Goodspeed, 20, of South Glens Falls, with the charges of: reckless endangerment in the first-degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth-degree, menacing in the second-degree, and criminal mischief in the fourth-degree. On Nov. 24, troopers responded to the I-87 in Colonie, for the reports of shots fired from a moving vehicle at a moving vehicle. The investigation determined Goodspeed was operating a vehicle when he fired a BB pellet from a BB gun, striking and breaking the window of another vehicle. He then left the location. No one was injured during the incident. The BB gun was located at Goodspeed’s home, police said.
