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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Wellspring Welcomes Talia Cass as New Communications Director

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Wellspring, the domestic violence and sexual assault services resource for Saratoga and Washington County residents, welcomes Talia Cass to the organization as the new communications director. Cass comes to Wellspring with more than 6 years of experience in communications and marketing. 

As communications director, Cass will be responsible for disseminating the Wellspring brand, educating the public on the complexities of relationship and sexual abuse and promoting the many crucial services the organization provides survivors. Additionally, she will champion Wellspring’s community engagement effort, which includes facilitating educational programs with Saratoga county school-aged youth and adults. 

Cass, a 2014 College of Saint Rose graduate, most recently served as an account strategist for Overit Media in Albany. Prior to Overit, she worked with multiple non-profit organizations including Discover Saratoga (also known as the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau) and Proctors. During her time as a director of marketing and communications for Discover Saratoga in 2017, Cass began volunteering with Wellspring as part of their community engagement committee. She is passionate about ending domestic violence and sexual assault in our community and advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. 

Wellspring’s mission is to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Each year, Wellspring’s crisis intervention and survivor services support more than 1,000 clients—providing safe housing to adults and children either fleeing or homeless because of domestic violence, as well as comprehensive support in the form of counseling, legal advocacy, and case management. Wellspring staff provides prevention and education programs to school-aged youth, as well as training and education programs for parents, faith-based congregations and professional organizations. 

 To learn more about Wellspring’s mission, services and programs, visit www.wellspringcares.org, call their office at 518-583-0280 or reach their hotline at 518-584-8188. 

Equitas Realty Relocates

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —After nine years in downtown Saratoga, Equitas Realty has moved to a new location at The Wilton Mall. According to broker/owner, Janet Besheer “The Covid pandemic created a ‘new normal’ for real estate. It forced us to embrace technology at a high level in order keep clients and agents safe. As a result, we learned we not only could succeed remotely, but succeed at an even higher level.” The Equitas Realty and Equitas Realty Management offices are now located at 3065 Route 50, Suite 59, Saratoga Springs, inside the entrance between Home Goods and Healthy Living Market. 

“The Wilton Mall offers an opportunity to take advantage of the changing face of malls around the country that are transforming from retail-only to becoming microcosms of the community. We are enjoying the visibility, abundant parking, ample security and plenty of room to be socially distant,” says Besheer. “Equitas Realty is looking forward to seeing and serving members of the Saratoga community at our new location.”

For more on Equitas Realty visit www.equitasny.com.

Adirondack Trust Company ‘Continues To Thrive,’ According To Bauerfinancial

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adirondack Trust Company has once again secured a 5-Star rating from Bauerfinancial, the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm. 

A five-star rating indicates that the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 58 consecutive quarters puts Adirondack Trust in the most prestigious bracket as an Exceptional Performance Bank.

Bauerfinancial, Inc., based in Coral Gables, Florida, is the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt-out of a BAUERFINANCIAL rating. Star ratings are all available for free at bauerfinancial.com.

The Adirondack Trust Company is an independent, locally-owned and operated, community bank offering a wide variety of business and personal financial services. The bank has more than $1.4 billion in assets and 13 branch offices. The bank’s website is AdirondackTrust.com.

2021 Town of Saratoga Calendars Now Available

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

 SARATOGA — The 2021 Town of Saratoga calendars featuring pictures from days gone by in the villages of Schuylerville and Victory and in the surrounding areas are now on sale.  Calendar pages are sprinkled with close to 150 historical tidbits. 

The photos include the Schuyler Hose Company in new turnout gear in 1987, the Periard family of Victory Mills, the 1954 champion VFW baseball team, a Knights of Columbus meeting, Schuylerville FFA members in 1964, and seven other pictures from the Town’s past.

You will learn that fire struck the village firehouse in 1947, the gristmill in Grangerville in 1938, the Visitation Church in 1871, the Quaker Springs hotel in 1899, and the Liberty wallpaper plant in 1924. Other tidbits include the date the last cotton mill machines moved south, Saratoga County was formed from Albany County, the General Schuyler Pantry opened, Schuylerville Central School District was formed, and a helicopter crashed and burned in Grangerville.

Calendars may be purchased for $5 in Schuylerville at Byron’s Market, Saratoga Apple, Schuylerville Public Library, Schuylerville Village Clerk’s office and at the Town Clerk’s office or at Old Saratoga Mercantile and Olde Saratoga Home and Garden on Route 29.

The Old Saratoga Historical Association has produced the Town of Saratoga calendar for the past 36 years. Call Pat Peck, 518-584-4129, to arrange to have calendars mailed and to offer photos for the 2022 calendar.

Social Distance Gets Soul on Sonic Saturday in the Spa City

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPORINGS — Billed as “the ultimate social distancing concert – in motion,” local musician Garland Nelson and the Soul Session band will perform live music atop of a slow-moving flatbed truck Saturday. The event takes place noon to 1 p.m., and again 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, down Broadway,  onto Lake Ave., then onto Circular, and back again. 

SoulSaturday Map

Wilton Scout Troops: Building Bridges

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

WILTON — The two local Scout Troops for Wilton, 4024B (Boys) and 4024G (Girls) built a new trail bridge at Moreau Lake State Park on Mud Pond Trail.  The project was Jackson Ellnor’s Eagle project, and was supported by the park, both BSA Troops, members of Friends of Moreau Lake State Park, and members of the community. 

Over the course of two weekends in November the bridge went from a plan to a fully functional completed bridge. This is the second Eagle Project completed in conjunction with Moreau Lake State Park in the past two years.  The other was Evan Schmid’s project of rebuilding a lean-to within the park that was completed last year. 

Additionally, both the Boys and Girls Troops did a fall clean-up at Dorothy Nolan Elementary school, and also helped a few seniors in the area with their clean-up earlier this fall. The Boys Troop also collected items from the community for the Adopt-a-Soldier program and helped package the items for soldiers deployed around the world. 

December 12 – December 18, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT 

Robert W. Rivers, 37, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Dec. 8 to aggravated family offense, a felony. Sentencing scheduled March 8, 2021. 

Adam J. Ross, 39, of Greenfield Center, was sentenced Dec. 10 to 1 year in jail, after pleading to felony DWI, in Saratoga Springs. 

Eileen M. Wesley, 62, of Scotia, pleaded Dec. 10 to felony DWI, in Ballston. Sentencing scheduled Feb. 16. 

 Melissa R. LaPoint, 41, of Moreau, pleaded Dec. 9 to felony DWI, felony aggravated DWI, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, in Wilton. Sentencing Feb. 16, 2021. 

Messiah J. Pompey, 25, of Halfmoon, pleaded Dec. 4 to promoting a sexual performance by a child, a felony. Sentencing Feb. 18, 2021. 

Patrick Colon, Jr., 34, of Hagaman, was sentenced Dec. 3 to 1.5 to 3 years in state prison, after pleading to criminal contempt in the first-degree, a felony, in Mechanicville.   

Bruce Stanley, 76, of Halfmoon, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, after pleading to sexual abuse in the first-degree, in Halfmoon. 

Todd M. Baker, 37, of Mechanicville, pleaded Dec. 7 to criminal contempt in the first-degree, a felony, in connection with an incident in Stillwater. Sentencing Feb. 28. 

POLICE 

Chad M. Cruger, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Dec. 11 with two felony counts burglary and two felony counts criminal mischief, in addition to the following misdemeanors: petit larceny, criminal tampering, criminal possession stolen property, possession of burglar tools, and three misdemeanor counts criminal mischief. City police said in the early morning hours on Friday, Dec. 11, officers on patrol discovered a burglary at Roma Foods, on Washington Street. An investigation showed there had been forced entry and items taken from inside the business. Shortly afterwards, a burglary in progress was called in from a residence on Newton Avenue, which is in close proximity to the Roma’s burglary. Officers who responded to the Newton Avenue call, which was a burglary to a locked shed, allegedly located Cruger at that scene. Cruger is accused of being involved in both incidents and was additionally found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for criminal mischief in an unrelated incident. Cruger was arraigned on all offenses and sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail, or $50,000 bond.

Jamar Wilson, 33, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Dec. 4 with the felonies: criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense, and the misdemeanors: criminal contempt, acting in manner injure child, and criminal obstruction of breathing. 

Hector Martinez, 22, of Schenectady, was charged Dec. 5 in Saratoga Springs with assault in the third-degree, and aggravated harassment, a misdemeanor. 

Emeline Weir, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Dec. 2 with felony burglary. 

Victor Maffetone, 34, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Dec. 2 with felony burglary. 

Kenneth Hughes, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Dec. 2 with criminal trespass misdemeanor. 

Devan Hildebrandt, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Dec. 2 with felony burglary, and misdemeanor assault. 

Karen Pagano, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Dec. 3 with misdemeanor petit larceny. 

Devin Hayes, 24, of Gansevoort, was charged Dec. 3 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, and speed not reasonable and prudent. 

Yaw Acheampong, 27, of Schenectady, was charged Dec. 3 with rape in the first-degree, in Clifton Park. Acheampong is accused of having sexual intercourse with a female who was physically helpless, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. He was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash, or $10,000 bond. 

James L. Salvo, 49, and Amie L. Sorey, 44 – both of Schenectady, were arrested Dec. 7 following a lengthy investigation into an alleged grand larceny that occurred on Sept. 13 at the Singlecut Brewery located at Fairchild Square in the town of Clifton Park.  Salvo and Sorey are accused of having entered a construction trailer located at the business and stealing over $3,000 worth of numerous construction tools.  They were each charged with one count grand larceny in the third-degree. 

Catherine (DeCelle) Schell

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

STILLWATER — Catherine Mildred “Mooie” (DeCelle) Schell, 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 11, 2020. No calling hours. A memorial mass will be held on a future date. Burial will be private at the National Cemetery. Memorial contributions to Stillwater Public Library, PO Box 485, Stillwater, NY 12170. burkefuneralhome.com

Sally A. Evans

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sally A. Evans, 79, entered into eternal life December 8, 2020. Burial will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2020 at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Burke Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. Please visit burkefuneralhome.com.

Ellen R. Bongard

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

NORTHUMBERLAND ­— Ellen R. Bongard, member of the New York Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industry, passed away on Dec. 7, 2020 at her home. She was 77. Services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Burke Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. Remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.