Photo of the Week 2025
Photo by Susan Kimble
Honorable Mention: Loughberry Lake by Amy Fairley
This is our final week!
Thank you to everyone who submitted!
Author: Saratoga TODAY
Photo by Susan Kimble
Honorable Mention: Loughberry Lake by Amy Fairley
This is our final week!
Thank you to everyone who submitted!
Adopt This Kitten
Talk about sweet-this cat is as sweet as can be. Day one of being at the center, he was scared and confused, but still so sweet and accepting of love and pets. His owner unfortunately had to move into a living situation that does not allow cats, so he came to HOPE to find his forever home. He will roll over and show you his belly then pop up and give you head butts. He seems interested in interacting with the other kitties at the center through his enclosure. We are unsure how he would be with dogs. He is a fantastic kitty and is patiently waiting for his forever family to come and meet him. The adoption center at Wilton Mall is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-4 or by appointment. Our online adoption applications can be found on our website at www.hopeanimalrescue.org and feel free to call if you have any questions 518-450-7013.
Major Drug Bust in Corinth
The Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Oct. 29 at 11 Liberty Street in the village of Corinth after a lengthy investigation into illicit drug possession and sales.
As a result of the investigation, Laurent S. Murphy, 39, of Corinth; Trevor J. Thompson, 26, of Porter Corners; Arthur E. Brust Jr., 27, of Corinth; and Kathryn E. Tooker, 38, of Corinth, were arrested.
Murphy was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (class B felonies) and criminal nuisance in the 1st degree (class E felony). He is accused of knowingly and unlawfully selling a narcotic drug and of knowingly and unlawfully possessing a narcotic drug with intent to sell it.
Murphy is also accused of knowingly conducting or maintaining a premise where persons gathered for the purpose of engaging in the unlawful sale of controlled substances and of deriving a benefit from it. He was arraigned before the Honorable Michael T. Woodcock in the Corinth Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings.
Thompson, Brust Jr., and Tooker were charged with criminal nuisance in the 1st degree and arraigned before Woodcock as well. They were released to pretrial services pending further proceedings. The residence at 11 Liberty Street was condemned by Corinth Code Enforcement.
Flags Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State
On Nov. 5 New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney who passed away on November 3, 2025.
Flags will be flown at half-staff immediately through interment — which has yet to be announced at time of publishing.
“I am directing flags across New York State to be lowered in honor of Dick Cheney, our former Vice President and lifelong public servant,” Governor Hochul said. “I extend my deepest sympathies to the Cheney family as we remember his life, leadership, and patriotism.”
Cheney served as Vice President Under Present George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. Prior to that he served as Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush from 1989-1993 and as the at large representative in Congress for Wyoming for 10 years from 1979-1989.
He died at the age of 84 in Northern Virginia due to various health conditions, according to a statement from his family.
Sharon Rich
GLENVILLE – Sharon Rich, 74, passed away unexpectedly October 21, 2025. Calling hours will be 4 – 6 p.m. on November 7, at Compassionate Funeral Care, Saratoga Springs, NY. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on November 8, in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Saratoga Springs, NY. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
(James) Lewis Chadwick Sr.
MALTA – (James) Lewis Chadwick Sr. passed away on October 27, 2025. A graveside service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, at Maplewood Cemetery, Corner of Weibel and Louden Road, Saratoga Springs, NY. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
Joseph W. Koney
GANSEVOORT – Joseph W. Koney, 90, entered eternal life peacefully on Monday, October 27, 2025. Calling hours and funeral home service were November 4 at Burke Funeral Home followed by burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations: The Sisters of The Resurrection, 35 Boltwood Ave, Castleton-On-Hudson, NY 12033. www.burkefuneralhome.com.
Gloria Lynn Minet
GANSEVOORT – Gloria Lynn Minet, 76, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. She was known in the community, loved and will be missed. Out of respect of her wishes there will be no services.
Ruth Meissner
CAPE CORAL, FL – Ruth Meissner, 83, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Carl and Margaret Thiemsen, Ruth lived a life full of love, laughter, and strength. Ruth spent her childhood on Long Island, New York, alongside her two sisters. She courageously overcame polio, enduring many months in an iron lung before emerging stronger than ever – a lasting testament to her determination, resilience, and will to live. On a blind date, she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Meissner, and the two were inseparable from that day forward. They shared 65 wonderful years together, building a beautiful family and a lifetime of cherished memories.
Ruth was the devoted mother of Lisa, William (Wendy), and Melissa (Manuel); beloved grandmother of Alejandro, Shaundra (Jason), and Megan (Jay); and great-grandmother of Selena, Cora, and Jonah. She is also survived by her sister Joyce and was predeceased by her parents and sister Carol.
Ruth had a rare gift for making everyone feel at home. With her radiant smile, quick wit, and compassionate heart, she could light up any room. People often said you could tell her anything, and she listened without judgment—earning her the affectionate nickname “Doctor Ruth.”
Her career reflected her nurturing and capable spirit. She began as a volunteer with Planned Parenthood, later working in medical records for over 20 years before becoming office manager at Thorobred Feed, where she brightened the days of countless customers with her humor and kindness. Ruth was endlessly creative – an avid reader, painter, decorator, and lover of music and nature. Together with Bill, she built or transformed several homes from the ground up: first in Hadley, then Saratoga Springs, Middle Grove, and finally Cape Coral. She cherished time spent boating in Oswego, where she proudly captained the boat, and loved fishing with Bill, often catching the biggest fish. Ruth’s warmth, humor, creativity, and compassion touched everyone she met. Her strength and zest for life will continue to inspire all who had the joy of knowing her. Ruth will be remembered for her laughter, her boundless creativity, her love of nature, and the deep kindness she shared with family and friends alike. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Planned Parenthood, or the ASPCA.
Nora Louise (Honor) Olsen
WILTON – Nora Louise (Honor) Olsen, age 72, of Wilton, New York, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Nora was the beloved daughter of the late John and Neriede Bardon. She was a proud graduate of St. Peter’s Academy, Class of 1971, where she formed lifelong friendships and nurtured her passion for the arts.
Nora was an avid painter and artist, whose creativity and gentle spirit touched all who knew her.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Mark Olsen; her loving daughters Natasha (Jim) Kreuter, Marisa Bencivenga, and Brittany Bencivenga; her cherished granddaughter Kendall Kreuter; her beloved siblings Tom Bardon, Dan (Jackie) Bardon, Chris (Marian) Bardon, and Kevin (Linda) Bardon; and her half brother James (Linda) Quinn.
She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom held a special place in her heart.
Nora was preceded in death by her brothers John Bardon, Michael Bardon, and Timothy Bardon.
Funeral services will be held in Wilton, New York, with details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation in Nora’s honor. Contributions may be made online at www.parkinson.org or by mail to: Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.
For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
