Skip to main content

Author: Saratoga TODAY

Roohan Realty Welcomes Anny O’Neill

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

 SARATOGA SPRINGS — Roohan Realty has announced that Anny O’Neill has joined the team as a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker.

O’Neill has been listing and selling real estate in Saratoga County and surrounding areas since 2001. She has also been a member of the Church of St. Peter’s since 1986 and is a past member of the Parish Council, as well as a supporter of the Saratoga WarHorse Foundation, Mary’s Haven, the Franklin Community Center, Community Hospice and the American Cancer Society. 

O’Neill and her husband Vince have been residents of Saratoga Springs since 1986. They have been married for over 35 years with three adult children who were born and raised in Saratoga Springs and now live in the area.

Saratoga Casino Hotel to Donate $100,000 to Regional Non-Profits During Holiday Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Hotel has kicked off their “30 Days of Giving” campaign, committing to donate a total of $100,000 to 38 local and regional non-profit organizations. 

Each day through Dec. 22, team members from Saratoga Casino Hotel will help to fill local food pantries, purchase essentials for families in need, and deliver checks to provide funding for non-profit programs and initiatives.

Each organization will be featured on Saratoga Casino Hotel’s social media pages highlighting their cause and promoting local support and assistance. Throughout the 30 days the casino will also feature four Player Choice contests on their Facebook page where fans can vote for particular organizations to receive a $1,000 donation. All organizations selected for the Player Choice contests will receive at a minimum $500.

In addition, Saratoga Casino Hotel is purchasing many of the non-monetary gifts for their program from small local establishments such as G. Willikers, Putnam Market, The Bread Basket Bakery, and D’Andrea’s Pizza. 

The following organizations will receive a donation ranging from $500-$10,000 during the “30 Days of Giving” campaign: After the Fire: AIM Services Inc.: Ballston Area Community Center; Ben Osborne Memorial Fund: CAPTAIN Community Human Services: Catie Hoch Foundation; Donna Crandall Foundation – Cystic Fibrosis; Franklin Community Center; Friends of Saratoga County Animal Shelter; Gateway House of Peace; Give a Child Christmas; Habitat for Humanity; Jake’s Help from Heaven; Mechanicville Area Community Services; Moreau Community Center; Nathan Littauer Foundation;         Nipper Knolls Equine Center; Operation Adopt a Soldier; Rebuilding Together Saratoga County; Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region; Saratoga Center for the Family; Saratoga County Foundation-Save our Locals; Saratoga EOC; Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center; Saratoga Senior Center; Saratoga County Children’s Committee Empty Stocking Project; Schuylerville Area Food Pantry; Shelters of Saratoga; Queensbury School District Snack Pack Program; Saratoga Springs School District SNACPack Program; Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar; Stillwater Food Pantry; Town of Malta Emergency Food Pantry; Wait House – Warren Washington County Homeless Youth Coalition; Wellspring; The Wesley Community; Wilton Food Pantry; The Corporation at Yaddo.

Local Sales Tax Collections Decline 5.2% in October

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

ALBANY ­— Local government sales tax revenue declined by 5.2 percent in October compared to the same month last year, according to a report released by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. 

October’s sales tax collections totaled $1.4 billion for counties and cities, or $74.4 million less than in October 2019.

The drop was less severe than previous declines since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, however. In the spring, collections fell by double-digits. Overall, local government collections in 2020, from January-October, are down nearly $1.6 billion, or 10.4 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

Locally, from January through October, sales tax collections were down 3.3% in Saratoga County and 19.5% in Saratoga Springs. 

“Statewide local sales tax collections have declined year-over-year for eight straight months,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “Our local governments are on the forefront of the pandemic response and they need financial aid from the federal government to help them get through this crisis.”

According to the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, demand for hotel rooms in Saratoga County is down 37.6% versus the same time in 2019 through the first ten months of 2020. As a result, Saratoga County’s 2020 revenue per available room is down 49.8% vs 2019. Demand for hotel rooms in Saratoga Springs is also down 41.2% and revenue per available room down 53.3% in the first ten months of 2020 versus the same time in 2019, according to the Chamber.

November 26 – December 4, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT 

Shawn L. Whitman, 43, of Mechanicville, pleaded Nov. 23 to rape in the third-degree, in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 26, 2021. 

Frank L. Lewis, 39, of Stillwater, pleaded Nov. 24 to felony DWAI, in Saratoga. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 25. 

Levi J.S. Tripp, 39, of Lake George, was sentenced Nov. 24 to 1 to 3 years state prison after pleading to failure to register or verify as a sex offender, in Moreau. 

Neil L. Fullington, 65, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Nov. 18 to four months in jail, after pleading to failure to register as a sex offender. 

Edwyn M. Snyder, 58, of Cohoes, was sentenced Nov. 18 to six months in jail, on the felony charge of attempted rape in the second-degree. 

John A. Butler, 41, of Gansevoort, was sentenced Nov. 18 to 5 years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI, in Northumberland. 

Kayla N. Scolamiero, 29, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Nov. 17 to DWAI, in Ballston. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 20. 

Dennis C. Woods, 55, of Corinth, pleaded Nov. 17 to felony DWI, in Wilton. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 27. 

Devin W. Campbell, 20, of Clifton Park, pleaded Nov. 17 to felony DWI, in Clifton Park. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 19. 

Alexander P. Jones, 33, of Ballston Spa, pleaded Nov. 20 to criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth-degree, a felony, in Malta. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 25. 

William M. Biette, 44, of Latham, was sentenced to 2 to 6 years state prison, after pleading to felony DWI, in Malta. 

Javier A. Dalmasi, 25, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded Nov. 19 to criminal contempt in the first-degree, a felony, in connection with incidents in Northumberland, Malta and Saratoga Springs in late 2019. Sentencing scheduled Jan. 26.

POLICE 

Lucas Sisco, 20, of Granville, was charged Nov. 17 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to stop at a stop sign. 

Shannon Richute, 43, of Wilton, was charged Nov. 17 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. 

Joshua Rector, 42, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 17 with resisting arrest, obstruct governmental administration, petit larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property. All four charges are misdemeanors. 

Jeremy Depasquale, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 18 with petit larceny, a misdemeanor. 

Michael Redd, 18, of Mechanicville, was charged Nov. 19 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor assault. 

Meaghan Kraft, 42, of Ballston Spa, was charged Nov. 19 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and two driving violations. 

Miles Hawes, 29, of Milton, was charged Nov. 17 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana, having no motor vehicle license, and motor vehicle registration suspended. 

Keegan A. Farrell, 20, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 30 with felony burglary. Farrell is accused of entering and remaining unlawfully in a building in the town of Ballston with the intent to commit a crime, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

Robert Bump, age 47, of Rensselaer, was charged Nov. 30 with burglary in the third-degree, regarding an alleged incident that occurred in the town of Halfmoon. 

William Brown, 37, of Latham, was charged Nov. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, obstruct governmental administration, criminal mischief, and three driving violations following an incident on Grand Avenue in Saratoga Springs where Brown is suspected of colliding with an unoccupied car. 

Gregory Dempsey, 51, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and moving from lane unsafely. 

Nicholas Charron, 22, of Spencerport, was charged Nov. 15 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, reckless driving, speeding, and failure to obey police officer. 

Andrew Barney, 22, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 15 in Saratoga Springs with two felony counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, and trespassing. 

Noah McFarland, 21, of Greenfield Center, was charged Nov. 16 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and speeding. 

Christopher Nichols, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Nov. 16 with misdemeanor petit larceny and misdemeanor criminal possession of stolen property. 

Joy Jirak, 35, of Milton, was charged Nov. 16 in Saratoga Springs with criminal contempt, and criminal mischief – both charges are misdemeanors. 

Edward “Buz” Fiorill

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Edward “Buz” Fiorill, 77, passed away on November 21, 2020. Services were private. A funeral mass and celebration of life will be held in Belle Vernon, PA at a later date. Information will be updated www.burkefuneralhome.com as it becomes known. Memorial donations may be made to Saratoga Hospital Foundation.

A. William Colonell

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A. William Colonell, “Bill,” died November 22, 2020. No calling hours. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2020, St. Clement’s Church (will be streamed on St. Clement’s Church Facebook page). Burial with military honors following in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to a charity of your choice. burkefuneralhome.com

Dorothy M. Rowland

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

RowlandDorothy

GREENFIELD CENTER — Dorothy M. Rowland, 94, lifelong resident of Greenfield Center, went to eternal rest on November 29, 2020, at Wesley Healthcare Center. Dorothy was born on August 28, 1926, to the late Richard and Evelyn (Rhodes) Potter in Greenfield Center.

Dorothy graduated from Saratoga Springs High School and SUNY Cobleskill. She was employed by Skidmore College in Food Service and later at Saratoga Springs City School District as the School Lunch Director for 25 years. During this time, she was named to the NYS Skilled Worker Emeritus Program by Governor Mario Cuomo.

Dorothy married Henry Rowland on August 29, 1948, and they recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. She is survived by her husband Henry; brother George; son Dick and daughter-in-law Joan Rowland; daughter Lynn and son-in-law Tom Cumm; and son Stephan and daughter-in-law Rosamaria Rowland. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Shana Cumm and Tom Rupert; Shaun and JoAnne Cumm; Lauren and Rob Delaney; Dominique and Brandon Semzock; and Stephanie and Nicholas Chandler; and great-grandchildren: Landen, Blake, and Avery Cumm; Waylon and Eleanor Semzock; and Emily Chandler. Additionally, Dorothy is survived by her sisters-in-law Ruth Hayes and Norma Potter and by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by her siblings Frances Potter, Chester Potter, John Potter, Laura Roeckle and Jane Potter.

Dorothy was a communicant of Simpson United Methodist Church, Rock City Falls, President and 75-year-member of Greenfield Grange #807, a member of Saratoga County Pomona Grange, NYS Grange, and National Grange. She was past NYS Grange Deputy for Saratoga & Fulton Counties, Co-Director for NYS Grange CWA and Assistant Director of NYS Junior Grange Camp. She was a member and past president of the NYS School Food Service Association and a member of the Saratoga County Agricultural Society as an Ad Hoc for the Culinary Department, Zonta International, and delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. As a member of the Greenfield Historical Society, Dorothy was instrumental in the restoration of the one-room schoolhouse she had attended as a child.

Family, food and community were all extremely important to Dorothy.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Eileen Beckwith and the Home Instead caregivers who helped take care of Mom over the past year. We would also like to thank Wesley Healthcare for their care and concern in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to Simpson United Methodist Church, 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls, NY 12863.

Funeral services will be private. Dorothy will be laid to rest at Greenfield Cemetery.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Wilton Rotary Club and Wilton Food Pantry Provided 80 Thanksgiving Holiday Bags & Pies

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

WILTON — On Saturday, November 21 the Wilton Rotary Club volunteered their services to the Wilton Food Pantry in handing out nearly 80 Thanksgiving Holiday Bags and pies to nearly 453 people within our Wilton Community.

On hand to assist the Wilton Food Pantry were Rotary Club President Bob Lounsbury with his daughter Diana, Past President Don Wildermuth, Sargent-At-Arms Warren Weil and Treasurer Deb June-Miller and her husband, Club Member Ray Miller. Along with volunteers from the pantry, they distributed food, produce, baked goods and other items to those in need.  The pantry provides this type of event on a regularly scheduled basis to those in our neighboring communities.

If you are interested in joining the Wilton Rotary Club or even learning about the club, please contact Don WIldermuth at 518-430-8670. Also, if you interested in joining the Wilton Food Pantry or even learning more about the pantry, please contact Peter Maynard at 518-350-4566.

The Alpine Sport Shop Donates to Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The “Take Home Double H Raffle Pack” benefit at Alpine Sport Shop was an overwhelming success.  With generous donations Alpine Sport Shop will be making a contribution of $1,500 to Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program. The raffle gift giveaways included four pairs of Alpine skis, helmets, goggles and more…  there were many happy winners! 

Alpine Sport Shop appreciates the participation of the giveaways suppliers, including Smith, Nordica, Tubbs, Snoskins, Rossignol, Giro, Obermeyer, K2, & Volkl.  With much to be thankful for, The Alpine Sport Shop celebrates 80 years in business and serving the greater Saratoga Springs community. 

For more details about Apline Sport Shop visit www.alpinesportshop.com. For more on Double H Ranch Winter Adaptive Program visit www.doublehranch.org/programs/winter.

Community Service Stays Front and Center at Saratoga County 4-H

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

BALLSTON SPA —Saratoga County 4-H, the Youth Development Branch of Cornell Cooperative Extension, has always had a focus on community service, and 2020 hasn’t changed that. In fact, it has helped bring 4-H’s devotion to the community and the people who live here to the forefront.

One of the more concerted community service efforts of Saratoga County 4-H in the fall and winter months is the “4-H Holiday Mitten Tree” which partners with area libraries and community centers distribute winter weather clothing including gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need. Collected items are placed on the Mitten Tree, this year at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Items are also donated to local organizations including the Saratoga County EOC and Salvation Army.

Members of Saratoga County 4-H Teen Council recently participated in a new community service opportunity. Working with a local non-profit, #HicksStrong of Clifton Park, 4-H Teen members painted “Hug Mugs” which are distributed to active duty military members and veterans as a way to show appreciation and support for their service. #HicksStrong also connects members of the military and veterans to mental health services. More information about #HicksStrong can be found at hicksstrong.og.

Part of the 4-H Pledge is for members and volunteers to dedicate their “…hands to larger service.” 4-H members in Saratoga County go above and beyond to stay true to this pledge. If 2020 has taught us anything it is that we are all members of a larger community, and it is our responsibility to help care for members of this community when they are in need. The lessons learned by 4-H youth through community service will carry on into their adult lives, and help to reach 4-H’s goal of helping members become “competent, caring and contributing members of society.”

4-H Youth Development actively involves youth in opportunities that help them learn to lead, build their communities, connect with Cornell University, and connect with each other.  For more information about 4-H Youth Development of Saratoga County visit www.ccesaratoga.org.