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Author: Saratoga TODAY

“Enhanced Union Ave” – New Date for Public Workshop: Feb. 16

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs residents will get a chance to participate in advancing potential designs for an “Enhanced Union Avenue” at a public design workshop at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 on the third floor Music Hall in City Hall. 

“Union Avenue is an important part of our Complete Streets network,” said Ken Grey, chair of the city’s Complete Street Advisory Board, in a statement. “It connects the track and city neighborhoods east of the Northway with downtown, with plans to connect through Congress Park to Railroad Run and the Spa State Park. We’d like the public to help us make that walking and biking connection as safe and as attractive as possible.” 

The workshop is the third public meeting in the past four months seeking citizen input on plans to reimagine this iconic street to slow down cars, make safer pedestrian crossings, add more greenspace and include a protected bike lane, according to a release by the city.  

The workshop will begin with an overview of the city’s 2016 plan to build a connected bike and pedestrian network, a plan that includes a bike lane on Union. A representative from JMT of NY, the city’s engineering and design consultant, will discuss the results of their traffic study. 

After the presentations, CSAB member Mike King will invite the public to break into small groups to evaluate how well potential designs address safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Participants will also consider how potential design changes will affect traffic flow during the racing season and comment on possibilities for more trees and new greenspace. 

“We have a chance to do something exciting on Union Avenue,” said city Mayor Ron Kim. “Making it safe for cyclists and pedestrians to come downtown without using a car is part of the city’s climate mitigation plan. If we can do that while adding more greenspace and trees, it’s a win-win for everybody.”

Calbone Joins Jake’s Help From Heaven Board of Directors

Angelo Calbone. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jake’s Help From Heaven is excited to kick off 2023 by announcing Angelo Calbone as the newest member of their Board of Directors. 

Calbone brings an abundance of medical experience to Jake’s Help From Heaven. He served as President & CEO of Saratoga Hospital between 2006 and 2022. In addition to his professional experience, Calbone brings extensive board experience having served on both the Saratoga Economic Development Corp and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce.

Angelo joins Jeff Ames (Secretary), Michael Billok, Colleen Carlson (Treasurer), Cynthia Dean, Jami Hawthorne, Julie Johnson, Brian Straughter (Vice-President), Heather Straughter (President) and Mandy Weinerman. 

Jake’s Help From Heaven, founded in 2011, is a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting individuals with complex medical needs and disabilities resulting from congenital or childhood-onset diseases. 

Saratoga County to Participate In: “Statewide Stop-DWI Super Bowl High Visibility Engagement Campaign”

SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo announced this week that Saratoga County police agencies will participate in special efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. 

The statewide STOP-DWI high visibility engagement campaign efforts will run through Feb. 13.

According to a statement issued by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, “the Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event and Super Bowl Weekend is historically a deadly period for impaired driving. In a combined effort to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives law enforcement officers across New York State and STOP-DWI programs will be participating in special engagement efforts.” 

“Drunk and drugged driving is completely and totally preventable – a little advanced planning is all it takes,” Sheriff Zurlo said. “If you’re going to drink or use drugs at all, have a sober ride ready. No excuses.”

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. 

Download the mobile app – “Have a Plan” and there will always be a way to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp. 

Sacred: A Spa Bridal Affair in Saratoga Feb. 26

SCHUYLERVILLE — Sacred Spa + Wellness will host Sacred: A Spa Bridal Affair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 26, on a thoroughbred racehorse farm minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs.  

The event will feature businesses in the wedding and bridal industry and provide opportunity for brides and grooms to meet their potential hair stylist, makeup artist, photographer, bridal boutique representative, caterer, florist, and more. Over 15 businesses are expected to participate in the affair. 

Complimentary cosmetic acupuncture, food and beverage samplings, wedding hair and makeup presentations, bridesmaid styling, and bachelorette planning are among the guest offerings at this event.

Admission is free but limited tickets are available. RSVP for the event at sacredspaandwellness.com. A Spa Bridal Affair will be held at Sacred Spa + Wellness, located on a 100-acre thoroughbred horse farm at 125 Sherman Lane, Schuylerville.

Two New Members Join Saratoga County History Center’s Board of Trustees

BALLSTON SPA — Lynda Bryan – town clerk and municipal historian at Halfmoon, and Karen James – former Wilton town historian, have joined the Saratoga County History Center Board of Trustees.

The Saratoga County History Center is celebrating its 60th anniversary and is committed to explaining that a greater Saratoga starts by understanding its history.  

As part of this commitment, the History Center is installing an immersive exhibition on the history of Saratoga County that will open in spring 2023.  Learn more about the Saratoga County History Center and program updates at www.brooksidemuseum.org.

February 4 – February 10, 2023

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office 

Sarah N. Woody, 42, of Malta was charged with arson in the second-degree, and reckless endangerment in the first-degree, in connection with an incident on Jan. 16, 2023. Both charges are felonies. Woody is accused of setting fire to her residence, a duplex, on Thimbleberry Road in the Town of Malta while the residents on the other side of the duplex were home. 

Christopher W. Crumble, 27, of Greenfield, was charged with assault in the second-degree, criminal contempt in the first-degree (both felonies), misdemeanor resisting arrest, and harassment – a violation, resulting from an investigation into a domestic incident that occurred in the Town of Greenfield. Crumble is alleged to have pulled the hair of an individual who had an order of protection against him, and is accused, while being taken into custody, of striking a Deputy in the face and causing physical injury. 

Saratoga Police Department

Prince Cooper, 36, of Schenectady, was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second-degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree – both felonies. At the time of the arrest arrest, Cooper was on Federal Supervised Release for the charge of Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics, according to a statement issued by Saratoga Springs Police. Cooper was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the custody of the Albany County Sheriff without bail.

Richard Janes, 43, of Ballston Spa, was charged Feb. 6 with criminal use drug paraphernalia, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, display forged certificate, operating an unregistered vehicle, operating vehicle without inspection certificate, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree. 

Amy Kraus, 51, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 5 with criminal mischief: intent to damage property. 

William Rolon-Ocasio, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 1 with criminal contempt: disobey court. 

Dean Fox, 47, of Endicott, N.Y., was charged Jan. 31 with grand larceny in the third-degree (property value exceeds $3,000), identity theft, possession forged instrument in the second-degree. 

Amy Morine, 44, of Ballston Spa, was charged Jan. 31 with petit larceny. 

Marcus Vandeusen, 20, of Schenectady, was charged Jan. 31 with grand larceny in the fourth-degree (motor vehicle value exceeds $100). 

Clarence Slade, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 31 with DWI, speed violation, unsafe turn or failure to give appropriate signal. 

Caitlin Kenney, 37, of Halfmoon, was charged Jan. 30 with DWI, speed not reasonable and prudent, moved from lane. 

William Durfee, 38, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 30 with burglary in the second-degree, and criminal tampering in the third-degree.

Dennis Walsh, 45, of Galway, was charged Jan. 30 with criminal  mischief in the third-degree: damage another person’s property > $250. 

Saratoga Court

Anthony J. Paradise, 44, of Coxsackie, was sentenced to 5 to 15 years incarceration, after pleading to arson in the third-degree, in connection with charges on Nov. 27 and Dec. 12, 2017 in the town of Ballston and the village of Ballston Spa, respectively.  

Thomas C. Madsen, 24, of Mechanicville, pleaded Feb. 1 to felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, and felony aggravated family offense. Sentencing April 13. 

Jackie McGonigle, 38, of Clifton Park, pleaded Feb. 1 to felony aggravated family offense. Sentencing April 27. 

James F. Hall, 29, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced Feb. 3 to 2 to 4 years incarceration, after pleading to felony burglary, first charged October 2022 in Malta. 

Carl W. Murphy, 53, of Stillwater, was sentenced Feb. 3 to 5 years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI, first charged July 2022 in Malta. 

Allen L. Titus, 32, of Mechanicville, pleaded Feb. 3 to criminal contempt in the second-degree, a misdemeanor. Sentencing April 7. 

Manuel Olmo, 53, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Feb. 3 to 1.5 years incarceration, after pleading to felony attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, first charged May 2021 in Saratoga Springs. 

Jorge L. Lopez, 41, of Moreau, pleaded Feb. 3 to criminal use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, first charged August 2022. Sentencing April 7. 

Kyle S. Fish, 22, of Schuylerville, was sentenced Feb. 3 to 10 years of probation, after pleading to rape in the second-degree, first charged July 2020 in the town of Saratoga. 

Georgette D. Smith

GLENVILLE ­— Georgette D. Smith, age 77, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the Granville Center. She was born on May 23, 1945, in Saratoga Springs, the daughter of the late Niles King and Olga (Dunham) King.

Georgette was a proud homemaker, she loved caring for her husband, her home and raising her wonderful children. Georgette’s husband and children were her world.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband, animals of all kinds, listening to music and going to concerts. She was a big fan of Randy Travis, Elvis, and George Jones. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She had a wonderful sense of humor and always made people laugh, and she was a very kind and compassionate person who everyone loved to be around.

Georgette is survived by her loving husband, Robert L. Smith; son, Robert L. Smith II and wife Gala of Black River, NY; daughter, Deanna Smith of Milton, NY; grandchildren, Robert L. Smith III and Maya Smith of Black River, NY and Thomas J. Powers of Milton, NY; sisters, Patricia Merrill and her husband Jack of Watertown, NY, Carol Todd and her husband William of Saratoga Springs; many nieces, nephews and friends whom she loved very dearly.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Jessie Smith of Ballston Spa.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, with Pastor Jeffrey Stratton officiating. Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.  

A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville NY, 12871. 

For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com

William A. Tooley

AMSTERDAM — William A. Tooley, age 71, passed away on February 1, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, NY. At the request of the family, there will be a private interment at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. 

William F. McCormick 

WILTON — William F. McCormick passed away on January 30, 2023 at home with loved ones at his side. At the request of the family there will be no services at this time. 

Karren Cooney 

BALLSTON SPA — Karren Cooney passed away on January 28, 2023, at Ellis Hospital. At Karren’s request there will be no services and she will be laid to rest at the Factory Village Cemetery in Ballston Spa in the spring. Visit compassionatefuneralcare.com