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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Equine Education & Family Fun: CCE Equine Selling Horse Shoe Decorating Kits

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Saratoga Springs ­—Saratoga’s Cornell Cooperative Extension Equine (CCE Equine) is offering horse shoe decorating kits as a fun family project for the holidays. Each kit includes a story, equine educational materials, a cleaned horse shoe and decorating supplies. 

Kits are $5 each and will be available for pick up during the week of Dec. 14 at the CCE Office, 50 West High Street, Ballston Spa. To order, call 518-885-8995 or email Nicolina Foti at Nvf5@cornell.edu. 

Cornell Cooperative Extension Equine (CCE Equine) was established in 2006. They offer equine education in Saratoga County and throughout the Capital Region. To learn more, visit ccesaratoga.org/agriculture/cce-equine.

Individuals Experiencing Homelessness to Receive Services via New Homeless Court

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Mayor’s Office and Community Development Department, together with City Court Judge Francine Vero, and Transitional Services Association (TSA) worked together to design a Homeless Court which assists individuals who are homeless and charged with non-violent offenses. 

Individuals who are eligible and agree to participate are provided with individually tailored, case management services and connected to human service providers. This will assist a person with a mental health diagnosis or substance use disorder who is also experiencing street-homelessness from continuing the cycle of street, to jail, and back into the courts. 

The Homeless Court was designed in response to the concern by Saratoga Springs City Court officials of an increasing pattern of individuals experiencing street-homelessness and frequently failing to appear in Court or re-offending shortly after being convicted. City Police echo the Court’s concerns. The pattern results in a backlog of warrants, as well as a significant amount of law enforcement time and resources spent policing individuals experiencing street-homelessness for minor, yet disruptive, offenses.

The Honorable Francine R. Vero presides over the Homeless Court which is scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. 

December 5 – December 11, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT 

Michael T. June, 36, of Schenectady, was sentenced Nov. 30 to 1 to 3 years state prison, after pleading to felony DWI in Saratoga Springs. 

Joyce Q. Dadhirao, 56, of Round Lake, was sentenced Dec. 2 to five years of probation, after pleading to DWAI, a felony, in Clifton Park. 

Linda C. Deitz, 43, of Albany, was sentenced Dec. 2 to five years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI, in Moreau. 

Erik T. Cargile, 34, of Albany, pleaded Dec. 3 to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony, in Malta. Sentencing Feb. 3, 2021. 

POLICE

Dennis J. L. Lescault, 28, of Lake Luzerne, was charged in Saratoga Springs with three felonies: attempted assault with intent to cause injury to officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, and the misdemeanors: obstruct governmental administration; reckless endangerment; unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle; aggravated unlicensed operation, and reckless driving. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office added additional charges: AUO in the first-degree, DWAI, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and numerous vehicle and traffic law infractions. The Saratoga Springs incident took place about 7 a.m. on Nov. 26, when a city Police Department officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop on Spring Street, authorities said. As the officer approached the vehicle on foot, it quickly accelerated and turned southbound onto Circular Street, onto Whitney Place and then entered the Greenridge Cemetery. As the vehicle attempted to exit the cemetery, it allegedly rammed the driver’s side of a marked Saratoga Springs Police Department car which had its emergency lights on. The officer of the rammed car was not injured. The vehicle continued onto roads in the southeast area of Saratoga Springs and then into the Town of Malta. Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office officers attempted to stop the vehicle for a failure to signal lane changes on I-87 northbound in the Town of Malta. The driver is accused of then leading police on a pursuit that continued after it exited I-87 at Exit 15, and north on New York State Route 50, and eventually south on Route 9 where the operator was apprehended after a short foot chase. Lescault was arraigned on city charges on December 2 and sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash, or $30,000 bond.

Barrett Zalocha, 28, of New Hartford, was charged Nov. 20 in Saratoga Springs with forcible touching, and public lewdness. Both charges are misdemeanors. 

Annabella Boyea, 20, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 20 with misdemeanor assault, and misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon. 

Juan Munguia, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 21 with misdemeanor petit larceny, and felony grand larceny. 

Elizabeth Hanson, 29, of Ballston Spa, was charged Nov. 22 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding. 

Daniel Earley, 27, of Schenectady, was charged Nov. 22 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a vehicle equipment violation.

Nicholas Warner, 21, of Ballston Spa, was charged Nov. 23 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Kodi Goodson, 29, of Ballston Spa, was charged Nov. 23 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a vehicle equipment violation.

Devin Orphan, 20, of Rotterdam, was charged Nov. 23 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt misdemeanor, and aggravated family offense – with more than one offense within five years rising to a felony count. 

Kayla Harris, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 25 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a stop sign. 

Ethan Kriesel, 30, of Amsterdam, was charged Nov. 26 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana, and speeding.

Daniel Thornton, 66, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 27 with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs – a misdemeanor, and six driving related violations. 

Stephen Budesa, 63, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 28 with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. 

Marion E. Ash Julius

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marion E. Ash Julius, 81, passed away December 6, 2020. Calling hours are 9 – 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Burke Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Orwell, VT next to her husband and son. Remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Helene (Lee) M. Gary

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Helene (Lee) M. Gary, 88, of Saratoga Springs, passed peacefully Nov. 30, 2020. Services are private. Contributions can be made in memory of Lee to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Visit burkefuneralhome.com

Peter F. Russo

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

RussoPeter

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Our loving father Peter F. Russo laid his head to rest November 26, 2020. 

He has joined his son Charlie, wife Phoebe and his parents Charles and Thelma Russo.

Peter’s passion was Saratoga and horses. At the age of 14 Peter became a horse trainer, and at 16 he went on to become the youngest sulky driver at the Saratoga Harness Track and retired as a racing judge. Other things that Peter enjoyed with his family were traveling to Florida, especially Disney World, watching New York Giants football and was an absolute phenomenal cook, who enjoyed cooking for his family. 

Peter was a very loving and doting father who truly loved his family. He is survived by his children: Elizabeth, Sondra and Charles’ twin brother Peter; his grandchildren, Richard, Angelina, Joey, Nicole and Ashley. Peter also leaves behind his special little dog Holly. They absolutely adored each other. 

Dad, Poppy, you will be loved and missed until we meet again.

Services were private. Burial was in the family plot in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, NY. 

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home of 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Get in the Spirit of the Season During the Holiday Homes Tour!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Saratoga Springs — On Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will host a virtual Holiday Homes Tour.  Since this year people will not be able to gather together for holiday parties, the Foundation is providing a unique way for people to get into the holiday spirit.  The inspiration for the event is the Candlelight House Tour, a tour of private houses decorated for the holidays that the Foundation hosted for 25 years until 2015. 

The virtual Holiday Homes Tour will feature the architecture and history of two private homes on Union Avenue, the George U. Gates House built in 1868 and the Ashabel & Elizabeth Moody House built in 1873.  The tour will offer a rare peek into the traditional and mid-century inspired interiors of these two historic homes while enjoying holiday music from local musicians the McKrells courtesy of Caffe Lena and singer/songwriter Cassandra Kubinski. 

“We are thrilled to offer cheer during this holiday season by offering an exclusive opportunity to learn about the architecture and history of two beautiful houses while enjoying holiday songs of local musicians.  We encourage people to support their favorite local restaurant by ordering take-out while having a festive cocktail in the comfort and warmth of their homes,” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Foundation. 

The program will feature holiday music by The McKrells who are one of the Capital District’s most well-known Irish and bluegrass acts. Lead singer Kevin McKrell has performed in theaters, clubs and on festival stages across the United States, Canada, Ireland and the U.K. and has been the recipient of songwriter and entertainer of the year awards multiple times by publications throughout the northeast. Saratogian Cassandra Kubinski is a singer/songwriter who has performed internationally and collaborated with artists like Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Botti, and 10,000 Maniacs, among others. Her songs have been highlighted on numerous television shows. The Foundation is honored to be joined by these impressive artists during the Holiday Homes Tour.

This virtual program will be presented through Zoom. Tickets are $20 for Foundation members and $25 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased by 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 to receive a link to the live stream program. Visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5050 to purchase your ticket. 

This virtual program is supported, in part, by generous sponsors including Presenting Sponsors: Allerdice Building Supply, Andersen Windows & Doors, Burns Management, Mangino Buick GMC, and Minich MacGregor Wealth Management; and Supporting Sponsor Best Dressed Windows in Town.

Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.

A Christmas Carol Holiday Entertainment Presented by Home Made Theater

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Home Made Theater will present a virtual production of the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” streaming live starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13. 

Local theater mainstays, Patrick and Mairin Quinn, have a long-standing tradition of reading A Christmas Carol to their grandchildren. The annual family Christmas gathering was Grandpa and Grandma‘s favorite time of the year. Stories, reflections and songs were all part of the festivities. This year, the pandemic has prevented the usual joyful reunion from happening, so Grandma and Grandpa decided to put their Zoom skills to work and are regaling the family with their two person version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption, A Christmas Carol. 

This production will be presented as a pay-per-view fundraiser for Home Made Theater. The cost is $15 per view. The show will be available through Dec. 31. 

For more information, or to get your link to the production, go to www.homemadetheater.org.

BSBPA Honors Beautification Award Winners 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, in partnership with Curtis Lumber, honored business owners and residents whose renovation, restoration, and beautification efforts have enhanced the Ballston Spa community over the past year. 

The winners were chosen from nominations submitted by others in the community. In lieu of the awards ceremony this year, the presentations were made by members of the Beautification Awards Committee and members of the BSBPA Board of Directors. 

WINNERS: 

Best Residential New Build:
24 Galleon Drive, Malta Development Co – Patrick Rowan and Christopher Cavanaugh.

Best Residential Redevelopment:
54 Grove Street – High Rock Realty – Ron Murphy.

Best Residential Renovation: 
28 Chapman Street – Carrie McNeil and Scott Von Duhn.

Residential – Honorable Mention New Build:
7 Oakwood Court – Travis Fitzgerald.

Best Commercial Interior Renovation:
The Front Street Social Club, 52 Front Street – Jamie Fronk.

Best Commercial Exterior Renovation:
Amazing Finds Boutique, 53 Milton Avenue – Christine Jamison.

Best Commercial Complete Renovation:
Rilassare at 18 Front, 18 Front Street – Alicia TenEyck.

Commercial Renovation Honorable Mention (4):
dbTrends Boutique, 32 Front Street – Dayanis Bowie ; Inspire Hair Salon, 207 Milton Avenue – Dana Flinton ; Seraphina Devine Beauty, 437 Geyser Road – Autumn Wright; The Real McCoy Beer Co Ballston Spa, 28 Washington Street – Michael and Bona Schaffer. 

Best Community Renovation: 
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 167 Milton Avenue.

#518RainbowHunt Winner:
Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton Street.

The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization committed to making the Village of Ballston Spa a better place to live, work and visit. To learn more, visit at www.ballston.org.