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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Death Wish Coffee Celebrates Grand Opening of First Retail Shop

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Death Wish Coffee Company, creators of “the World’s Strongest Coffee,” celebrates the grand opening of their first-ever retail shop, located at 260 Broadway – the company’s Saratoga headquarters, which they first moved into in March 2020.

“Being able to engage with our customers face-to-face again is special to the entire Death Wish Coffee team. We know their feedback will help us continue to improve. Plus, there is nothing better than hearing firsthand how Death Wish Coffee is helping people get through their day,” Mike Brown, owner and chief executive officer of Death Wish Coffee, said in a statement. 

The lobby of the HQ will house coffee products, mugs and merchandise, and shop hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

The building was first developed in the 19th century by architect Franklin Webster Smith and has been called the House of Pansa, or House of Pompeii, with architectural designs mimicking a home excavated in the volcanic-ash buried town of Pompeii – the result of the volcano Vesuvius erupting in 79 A.D. 

Smith had a vision of turning Saratoga into an eclectic resort and used concrete materials to reconstruct, as close to a replica as possible, the original House of Pansa. In the early 20th century it had served as a Masonic Temple, and in the early 21st century as the home of Palio Communications.

Mike Brown brought his bold idea for the World’s Strongest Coffee to life in 2012. Today, Death Wish Coffee can be found in over 14,000 stores. 

For more information, visit www.deathwishcoffee.com

Offering Cash Prizes: Saratoga County Initative to Bolster Defibrillator Database

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County officials this week announced its Office of Emergency Services is hosting a contest with cash prizes for those who help locate AEDs around the county. The contest, in partnership with the EMS Council, is an effort to grow the county’s automatic external defibrillator (AED) database. 

Contestants are asked to locate and upload photos and information of AEDs around the county using the PulsePoint AED app.  The contest runs through Aug. 13. 

Cash prizes will be awarded to the five people who register the most AEDs located in Saratoga County and will be distributed as follows: $300 for first place; $200 for second place; $150 each for third, fourth and fifth place. The initiative is funded through grants from PulsePoint and the EMS Council, each providing $950. 

PulsePoint works in the background at the computer-aided 911 dispatch center. When the call-taker verifies the location and determines there is a sudden cardiac emergency in a public location, PulsePoint automatically notifies CPR-trained individuals within a quarter-mile of the event. The PulsePoint AED app provides visual directions to the emergency along with the location of nearby AEDs.

According to Saratoga County OES statistics, on average, there are 35 cardiac arrest events in Saratoga County each month with 10 of them happening in a public location. The OES currently has 251 AEDs registered throughout the county and estimates there are more than 2,000 in total throughout Saratoga County. Most AEDs are located in schools, businesses, stores, fitness centers and restaurants.

To enter the contest, individuals must download the PulsePoint app and register with the OES.  To register for the contest use this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/AEDcontest. To learn more about PulsePoint use this link: www.pulsepoint.org. 

Application of Final Draft of UDO Under Consideration Thursday

SARATOGA SPRINGS — At City Hall on July 29, the Planning Board is considering an advisory opinion to the City Council on the final draft of the Unified Development Ordinance.

A Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is a tool which combines traditional zoning and subdivision regulations, along with other development standards for items such as design guidelines, storm water management, signs and street standards into one, easy-to-read reference document. It is intended to eliminate redundant or conflicting code provisions, help to streamline the review and approval process and clarify the steps and requirements with clear illustrations and language. 

The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. 

Prestwick Chase Makes Pillows for Cancer Patients

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Prestwick Chase knitting group stuffed, sewed and tied ribbons on breast cancer pillows that were provided by the Bacon Hill Reformed Church Ladies. The pillows will be delivered to the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center at Saratoga Hospital for cancer patients. Every other week the ladies of Prestwick Chase work on pillows to provide the patients at Saratoga Hospital with recovery pillows.

Saturday Farmers’ Market Returns to High Rock Park

SARATOGA SPRINGS  — The Saratoga Farmers’ Market Association’s (SFMA) Saturday market has returned to its traditional summer home at the High Rock Park pavilions. Through the end of October, the SFMA will now host two weekly markets in the downtown location: Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

This year’s Saturday market features around 60 local vendors selling fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, meats, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods, and more. At Wednesday’s market, just over 15 vendors provide a similar range of items.

The decision to start the summer season in two locations in May was made to keep market vendors and customers safe while the COVID-19 pandemic required more social distancing. The smaller Wednesday market fit comfortably at High Rock Park, but for the larger Saturday market a more expansive footprint was still needed. Now that restrictions have been lifted, both markets are able to return to the pavilions – with increased spacing where possible to ease customer flow.

For more information visit www.saratogafarmersmarket.org.

Blood Shortage Continues: Donors Needed for July 26 Blood Drive at Saratoga Casino Hotel

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Hotel is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive on Monday, July 26. Members of the local community are urged to join dozens of Saratoga Casino Hotel team members to give blood from noon to 6 p.m. inside the hotel ballroom. 

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage and donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now. The Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet current demands as hospitals respond to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, organ transplants and elective surgeries. 

Donors who give now will help stock the shelves for the rest of the summer season. Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code SARATOACASINO, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. 

To thank donors who help refuel the blood and platelet supply during the blood drive, all will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card via email, $5 gift card to Fat Paulie’s Delicatessen in Saratoga Springs, an automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value), and a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm. For more information and details on the giveaways visit rcblood.org/fuel and rcblood.org/CedarFair. 

Over the past decade, Saratoga Casino Hotel blood drives have collected over 1,100 pints of blood. 

Spa City PSA: Woman Bitten by Fox

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city announced that last week, on the Railroad Run off of West Circular Street, an adult woman was bitten by a fox as she was walking. Incidents involving an aggressive fox were reported off of North Broadway this past week as well. 

The city says these types of actions by foxes are unusual and a reminder, is urging the public to exercise caution, should they come in contact with wildlife: 

Please be cognizant of unusual animal behavior and stay safe. Should you believe you are bitten or exposed to a sick wild animal, make sure to seek proper medical advice. The NYS Department of Environmental Services (EnCon Police) is aware of these incidents and report that these are likely gray foxes.

Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs Gets New Commander

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Commander Raymond Gamicchia relieved Cmdr. Phillip Boice as Commanding Officer, Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs. 

Rear Adm. Charles W. Rock, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, presided over the ceremony and commended Boice for his leadership of the installation over the past two years, noting his accomplishments not only navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, but praising his work with local community leaders and stakeholders to ensure installation mission effectiveness during a historic time for NSA Saratoga Springs.

Boice, who served as commanding officer since August 2019 departs for his next assignment as the Surface Operations Officer for Carrier Strike Group 9 in San Diego.

Gamicchia, a Detroit native, most recently served as the Assistant Reactor Officer for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) since July 2018.

“Everyone talks about how beautiful Saratoga Springs is, but it didn’t take long to realize that it is actually the people here that make this such a special place,” said Gamicchia as he addressed the sailors and staff of the installation. “Continue on with your high standards. Hold yourself and each other to these standards every day. Challenge yourself to find ways to make things better and focus on bettering yourselves every day.”

NSA Saratoga Spring’s mission is to deliver consistently efficient and effective shore readiness and operational support to the fleet, fighter, family and perform host command functions in support of supported commands and the military community.

July 17 – July 23, 2021

COURT

Steven E. Willetts, of Waterford, pleaded guilty July 14 to course of sexual conduct against a child in the first-degree, in connection with multiple incidents that involved a child under the age of 13, for a period of more than two years. Sentencing scheduled for Sept. 16. 

James A. Duffy, of Johnstown, was sentenced July 14 in Saratoga County Court to 18 years-to-life, after pleading guilty to murder in the second-degree, in connection with the death of Allyzibeth Lamont. Duffy previously admitted to acting in concert with co-defendant Giorgios N. Kakavelos on Oct. 28, 2019 in actions resulting in the death of Lamont, who was 22. Kakavelos is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 19 and faces a maximum sentence of life without parole.    

Daniel L. Jones, 43, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced July 14 to 3.5 years in jail and 2 years post-release supervision, after pleading to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, in Wilton. 

POLICE

Tyaisha Tulloch, 22, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and an equipment violation. 

Louis Brown, 24, of Troy, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with criminal mischief, and criminal possession of a controlled substance

Crystal Bears, 28, of Schenectady, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, obstruct governmental administration, resisting arrest, and moved from lane unsafely. 

Daniel Green, 25, of Catskill, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a weapon/loaded firearm – a felony, and disorderly conduct. 

Michelle Maffetone, 36, of Schenectady, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with two felony counts criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Jason Carter, 20, of Schenectady, was charged July 10 in Saratoga Springs with criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor. 

Gary Robertson, 35, of Gloverville, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with making a terroristic threat, and disorderly conduct.

Eddie Plerqui, 22, of Troy, was charged July 11 in Saratoga Springs with circumvent interlock misdemeanor, disorderly conduct, and two driving violations. 

Daniel Ovland, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 11 with two counts criminal mischief. 

Johntay Jones, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 11 with harassment, menacing, false impersonation, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Five people were charged following a Saratoga Black Lives Matter protest on July 14. The protest commenced in Congress Park and moved its way around the downtown area. “Police first requested the group, which consisted of 60 or so people, to move out of the roadways. The request was repeated a few times, but was not accepted by the group. Police actions then took place to open up the roadways and this resulted in the arrests of five people,” city police said, in a statement.  Adam Walker, age 32, Albany, Arlo P. Zwicker, age 18, Saratoga Springs, Anthony Brown-Davis, age 32, Albany, and Michael D. Janidlo, age 36, Clifton Park, were each charged with disorderly conduct, a violation. Derek C. VanDermark, age 46, Ballston Spa, was charged with disorderly conduct, a violation, and obstructing governmental administration in the second-degree, a misdemeanor. 

On July 12, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit charged Thomas J. Dingmon, 30, of Saratoga Springs, after a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in Saratoga County. Dingmon was located on an active NYS parole warrant by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit in the Town of Galway and was allegedly found to be in possession of over 250 bags of heroin, significant quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as an electric stun gun, and a large amount of US Currency, according to the sheriff’s office. Dingmon was sent to Saratoga County Jail without bail to await further proceedings. Charges: six felony counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one felony count criminal possession of a weapon. 

Jonah T. Figueras, 25, of Wilton, was charged July 15 with felony burglary, and felony criminal mischief. The alleged incidents occurred at the Pyramid Pines mobile home park, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office. 

Demetrick M. Rawlins, 24, of Hudson Falls, was charged July 9 with felony burglary, in connection with an alleged incident in Northumberland. Rawlins is accused of remaining unlawfully in the dwelling of another person, and stealing firearms and a motorcycle. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail, or $10,000 bond. 

Roy Rogner

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Roy Rogner, age 89, passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Wesley Health Care Center.  For more information regarding the calling hours and service or to send your condolences to the family, please visit compassionatefuneralcare.com