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Author: Saratoga TODAY

May 23 – May 29, 2020

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

Vincent E. Curtis, 20, of Milton, was charged May 26 with one count criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree and one count criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree, both felonies. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Curtis is suspected of selling cocaine within Saratoga County. He was released and is scheduled to appear before the town of Milton Justice Court at a later date.

John Jara, 20, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 21 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. 

Joseph LoPresti, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 22 with felony burglary, and the misdemeanors: criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal possession of marijuana, aggregate weight more than two ounces. 

Andrew Sanderson, 46, of Far Rockaway, was charged May 23 in Saratoga Springs with criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief, and felony aggravated offense.

Augustus Balsamo, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 23 with petit larceny, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. 

William McMahon, 25, of Nassau, was charged May 22 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Elvin Ulloa, 33, of Brooklyn, and Christopher Jacquez, 26, of  NY, were each charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Tony J. Prichard, 41, of Hudson Falls, was charged May 14 on the suspicion of burglary at a storage facility in Wilton. that allegedly occurred on May 2. He was arraigned by the County Central Arraignment Court and released on his own recognizances.  The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Jason Rector, 39, Antonio Quesada, 55, both of Saratoga Springs, and Scott Pehl, 54, of Malta, were each cited May 19 for trespassing.

Frank Corradi, 29, of Schenectady, was charged May 19 in Saratoga Springs with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, after being involved in a property damage accident. 

Trevin Schwenk, 32, of Hudson Falls, was charged May 19 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Anthony Deschaine, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 20 with criminal mischief of another person’s property with an amount greater than $250 – a felony. 

Douglas Koebrich, 37, of Ballston Spa, was charged May 21 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor aggravated DWI, and unreasonable speed. 

Eugene Anthony Stanczyk

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Eugene Anthony Stanczyk, a long-time resident of Saratoga Springs, NY, died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on May 21, 2020. Services were private. Memorial donations to Saratoga Community Hospice or Vermont Public Radio at 365 Troy Avenue, Colchester, VT 05446. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

George A. Moline

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — George A. Moline, 95, of Saratoga Springs, NY, beloved husband, companion and best friend of Jean, passed from this life on May 15, 2020. Services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Patricia A. (Collins) Goodale

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Patricia A. (Collins) Goodale, 78, of Saratoga Springs, and formerly of Niskayuna, died on May 21, 2020. The family hopes to hold a celebration of her life for family and friends at a future date. Memorial donations to Saratoga Arts or Shelters of Saratoga. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Elizabeth A. Farmer (Saxton)

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Elizabeth A. Farmer (Saxton), 59, of Saratoga Springs passed away peacefully on May 19, 2020 at Saratoga Hospital after a short battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga Springs, NY. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.

Melford Mildred (Jackson) Dart

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thursday, May 21, 2020, Melford Mildred (Jackson) Dart, “Millie,” 88, was released from her earthly bonds to join her heavenly family. Services and internment at the Greenridge Cemetery were private. Memorial donations may be made to Saratoga Hospital Foundation (Women’s Breast Care Center (Mammography). Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

National Museum of Racing Postpones Hall of Fame Ceremony and Museum Ball to 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced May 21 it will cancel the 2020 Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the Museum Ball as a result of the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are incredibly disappointed we won’t be able to have these time-honored special events this summer, but the health concerns we are facing right now take precedence,” said John Hendrickson, president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in a statement. “The Hall of Fame ceremony is an experience we want to be able to share with the fans. With racing at Saratoga this summer likely to take place without spectators, we believe it is in the best interests of everyone involved and for the integrity of the event to postpone the ceremony for a year.”

The Hall of Fame ceremony was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7. This year’s induction class — trainer Mark Casse, jockey Darrel McHargue, horses Wise Dan and Tom Bowling, and Pillars of the Turf Alice Headley Chandler, Keene Daingerfield, Jr., and George D. Widener, Jr. — will be inducted in the traditional manner alongside the class of 2021
next August. 

“The 2020 inductees will be honored together with the class of 2021 next summer in what will be a truly special ceremony,” Hendrickson said. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor in the sport of thoroughbred racing and we will make sure this year’s class is properly recognized for the incredible mark they have made on the game.”

The 44th Annual Museum Ball, which was scheduled for Aug. 14, is traditionally one of the highlights of the Saratoga summer social season. That event will also return to the calendar in 2021. 

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame remains closed to the public. The Museum is currently under construction, as work has resumed this week on the new Hall of Fame Education Experience. More information on the reopening of the Museum will be forthcoming.

Saratoga Tough T-shirt Campaign to Benefit Backstretch Community

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

 ELMONT — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced a new charitable initiative designed to raise funds for the NYRA backstretch community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fans can support the effort by purchasing new t-shirts emblazoned with the inspirational messages “Belmont Tough” and “Saratoga Tough.” The t-shirts emphasize the strength and commitment of the men and women who have been working throughout the pandemic to provide essential care for the 1,500 horses stabled on the property.

The Belmont Tough t-shirt is available in steel grey and the Saratoga Tough t-shirt is offered in heather red. The limited-edition t-shirts are now available for sale by visiting online.

NYRA will donate all net proceeds from t-shirt sales in equal allotments to three non-profit organizations which serve the Belmont Park backstretch community: the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA); the Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (B.E.S.T.); and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA).

“The backstretch workers are the unsung heroes of our sport,” said NYRA Chief Operating Officer Gordon Lavalette. “As we move toward the resumption of live racing, we encourage fans to support the men and women whose hard work and dedication have made that possible.”

The BCCA operates Anna House, a childcare and early-childhood education facility at Belmont Park for backstretch families, providing vital support to those who work in thoroughbred racing. Libby Imperio, a longtime owner on the NYRA circuit, is the president of the BCCA board and oversees the organization’s fundraising and outreach efforts.

Anna House was closed on March 17 consistent with Nassau County’s decision to close public schools to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, but the BCCA continues to work remotely to support the children of backstretch workers.

B.E.S.T. operates the B.E.S.T. Health Center located on the Belmont Park backstretch and maintains a staff of 15 full-time workers and numerous volunteers who are tasked with providing backstretch workers free health care, life insurance, drug and mental health counseling, food and clothing.

Led by Executive Director Paul Ruchames, B.E.S.T. operates on an annual budget in excess of $2.2 million which is funded mainly by NYRA and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), along with public donations and grants from private foundations.

The NYRTCA, led by Chaplain Humberto Chavez, ministers to the backstretch community with children’s enrichment, social services, recreational programs, educational opportunities and non-denominational religious services.