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Author: Saratoga TODAY

New Reduced Hours at Saratoga Springs Transfer Station

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco and Deputy Commissioner Joseph J. O’Neill announced the Department of Public Works’ operational plan following COVID-19 directives set forth by Governor Andrew Cuomo. 

The DPW work force will transition into emergency standby mode and will respond to emergency situations as-needed. Request for DPW service calls can be made to police dispatch, 518-584-1800.

The Weibel Avenue transfer station will also operate under reduced hours between 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. 

“The Governor has directed all non-essential workforce to remain home, for DPW that means staying home and being prepared to respond as-needed, this is for the good of our personnel and to help stop the spread of
COVID-19” said Scirocco, in a statement.  “The public can rest assured that in any emergency during this time our work force will respond and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

DPW crews had remained operational earlier this month for lawn-debris pickup, roadway repairs, and routine calls for service.

Gov. Cuomo: DMV Close Offices, Shift to Online; Registration Dates Extended

STATEWIDE — The Department of Motor Vehicles is closed for all in-office visits. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed an Executive Order to temporarily close DMV offices and shift the DMV to online transactions. License and permit expirations will be extended. 

“So, if your driver’s license is about to expire — don’t worry,” Cuomo said, in a statement.

Specifically, this means: All Licenses, Non-Driver ID’s, and Registrations with an expiration date of March 1, 2020 or later will be extended. Road tests are suspended until further notice, and all reservations have been cancelled.

According to Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner, the Saratoga County DMV will be closed to the public until April 19. 

To view more information regarding online DMV transactions, go to: dmv.ny.gov. 

BackPack Program Receives Community Support

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District’s BackPack Program continues to receive generous support from members of the school community. At a time when restaurants are struggling, the Route 50 Diner has donated $800 after they collected and matched a weekend of customer donations to support the Scotties BackPack Program. With the support of many local businesses and organizations the Scotties BackPack Program is able to continue during the school closure and provide weekend meals to those students who may otherwise go without. For a list of supporters and details of the program, please visit www.bscsd.org/Page/13097.

In Need: What Local Businesses & Non-Profits are Searching For

SARATOGA COUNTY —While COVID-19 impacts the community, local hospitals and nonprofits are searching for item donations to continue their cause of serving the community.

Saratoga Hospital is looking for gloves, masks and protective eyewear. Respirator Masks, surgical gowns and ventilators are also a part of the products needed. 

The Franklin Community Center in Saratoga is asking for donations of juice, peanut butter, canned fruit, tuna and pasta/egg noodles. There is a food donation bin located in the front of the building. 

The Wilton Food Pantry is searching for canned fruit and personal care items. Peter Maynard, director of the food pantry, said donating a monetary amount is highly recommended because pantries can buy food from the Regional Food Bank at lower prices than the consumers can. The donations also allow the pantry to control inventory better, but no food donations will be turned down. 

The Wilton Food bank along with Schuylerville Area Food and Emergency Relief  (SAFER) Food pantry will take orders before clients arrive at the pantry. Participants are encouraged to order online or call-in before arriving. Drop-ins will be serviced as well but as asked to wait outside while their food order is prepared. 

Ballston Spa Announces Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Athletic Hall of Fame Committee released the 202 inductees early this week. They are as followed:

• Rosina Brooks Layden (athlete) 
• Steven Hart (athlete) 
• Regan Johnson (athlete) 
• Patrick Shaw (athlete) 
• Mark Thomas (athlete) 
• 1992 Men’s Soccer Team: Nick Alexander, Chris Brandt, Tom Cutbush, Gilbert DeLucia, Ted Gordon, Jason Gorman, Chris Hebbard, Scott Horner, Matt Kolesar, Zach Komon, Bryan Kozlowski, Tim Le*, Tim Lucey, Josh McCann, Jason Miller, Dave Perez, Bill Powhida, Art Rastinehad, Aketza (Ace) Sabin, Jeff Semancin, Randy Simmons, Matt Ward, John Williams (Coach Wayne Akey) 
• 2006 Women’s Volleyball Team: Christine Staulters Copacino, Meghan Crozier, Christie Fodera Hoover, Jessica Lawlor, Casey Wright Leach, Jacqueline Cinella Rich, Katie Sheeran, Grace Smisloff, Katie Staulters Suppes, Jillian Thibault, Kristie Gratto Webber, Chryesse Wells (Coach Sylvia Bertrand) 

Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony has been postponed. As soon as a new date is selected, ballstonspaathleticshalloffame.com and the Facebook page will be updated, and the inductees notified. 

Ballston Spa’s Scotties Stampede 5k Postponed

BALLSTON SPA — The 5th Annual Scotties Stampede 5k Fun Run/Walk, planned for Saturday, April 4, 2020, has been postponed. The Ballston Spa Central School District looks forward to rescheduling this fun, family friendly event as soon as possible.  The district’s Wellness Expo, planned for the same day, has been cancelled but will be back bigger and better in 2021. Additional information on the Scotties Stampede 5k Fun Run can be found online at
www.scottiesstampede.org.

Saratoga County Restaurant Week Becomes Saratoga Takeout Week

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Keeping ourselves and each other safe from COVID-19, some of these local businesses will be offering promotions to keep people socially distant where people can “pick-up” or have these items which are important to our daily lives delivered, instead of visiting the establishment.

The purpose of the event is to allow all Saratoga County restaurant and business owners and consumers one central location to promote current specials, promotions, delivery and pickup options. 

Every industry will be touched by the coronavirus crisis, in some form, but perhaps none more immediately than bars and restaurants. We still need to eat during this time, and restaurants need the business more than ever. While some have made the difficult decision to close the doors for a period of time, others are modifying menus, instituting online/phone ordering along with providing new delivery options in addition to curbside pickup.

The list of participating restaurants can be found at saratoga.org/tourism/take-out-week; the page will be updated frequently. 

March 21 – March 27, 2020

COURT

William Thibedeau, 25, of Ballston Spa was charged on March 20 by State Police in Saratoga with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth-degree, a felony, and reckless endangerment in the second-degree, a misdemeanor, after State Police responded to a dispute involving the operators of two vehicles in the area of Brookline Road and Middleline Road in the Town of Ballston. Thibedeau is accused of making multiple attempts to run the victim off the road. Thibedeau and the victim were previously known to one another. When troopers arrived, Thibedeau was taken into custody. A subsequent search revealed that he was also allegedly in possession of a quantity of cocaine. Thibedeau was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on May 21.

Mikhael W. Shaw, of Daytona Beach, FL, was charged on March 17 by State Police in Wilton with grand larceny in the third-degree, a felony. Shaw is accused of engaging in a phone scam in which a South Glens Falls resident provided her bank account information. Shaw is suspected of drawing over $36,000 from her account. Through investigation, Shaw was located in Florida and an arrest warrant was obtained. Shaw was located by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department and on March 17 and was extradited back to New York State. He was processed and transported to Saratoga County Jail to await arraignment.

Haywood W. Mitchell III, 47, of Wyandanch, and James A. Tyson, 35 of West Babylon, was charged on March 19 by State Police in Wilton with possession/transport of more than 30,000 unstamped cigarettes, a felony. State Police stopped a vehicle operated by Tyson after he committed multiple traffic infractions while traveling on I-87 in the Town of Moreau. After establishing probable cause to search the vehicle, troopers located approximately 100,000 untaxed cigarettes within it. Both men were issued appearance tickets and are due in Moreau Town Court on May 13. 

POLICE

Christopher Decker, 37, of Ballston Spa, was charged March 21 in Saratoga Springs with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. 

Darrick Conners, 46, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 22 with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. 

Nathaniel Steinbiss, of Ballston Lake, was charged March 18 in Saratoga Springs with assault in the third-degree with intent to cause physical injury – a misdemeanor. 

Samuel Hogan, 19, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 13 with operating a motor vehicle without signal devices/reflectors, possession or use of a forged/fictitious/illegally obtained license, unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree, and possession of a controlled substance in non-original container. 

Jacob Dilson, 29, of Bayside, was charged March 14 in Saratoga Springs with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Shawn Johnson, 37, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 14 with criminal trespass in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Brian Raymond, 49, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 14 with trespassing, and public lewdness – a misdemeanor. 

Khylan Hunt, 33, of Ballston Spa, was charged March 14 in Saratoga Springs with two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal possession of marijuana in the fourth-degree. 

Kaitlyn Flint, 29, of Fort Edward, was charged March 14 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor petit larceny. 

Meaghan Barnett, 21, of Simsbury, CT, was charged March 15 in Saratoga Springs with misdemeanor DWI, and a vehicle equipment violation. 

Kim Brigman, 52, of Saratoga Springs, was charged March 15 with criminal trespass in the third-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Amelia Ives

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Amelia Ives, 72, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Due to ongoing public health concerns of COVID-19 services will be conducted at a later date. Donations may be made in Amelia’s name to the Saratoga Community Hospice, 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208. Visit burkefuneralhome.com. 

Copy of Dr. Richard J. Fiorini, DO 

Fiorini

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. Richard J. Fiorini, DO left this earth on March 19, 2020 to reunite with his loving wife, Joan V. Fiorini, who passed away on February 5, 2017. He was born in Campbell, Ohio on May 27, 1929.

Throughout his life he enjoyed reminiscing about the old neighborhood and cherished his life-long friendships. He was known by his childhood friends as “Fuzzy” and later also as “Doc”. He enlisted in the army in 1946 and after discharge in 1948, completed his GED. His initial college degree in 1951, was in education from Kent State University where he taught school in the Youngstown area. He married the love of his life, Joan Vivian Seese, on 10/12/1957. His lifelong goal was to become a physician, so he taught school during the day and returned to college in the evening to complete premedical coursework needed before applying to medical school. He was accepted into the class of 1963 at Kansas City College of Medicine and Biosciences. He interned in Flint, MI, from 1967-1968. After his internship in 1968, he returned to Campbell, Ohio to start a medical practice. Shortly after opening his first practice, he opened a second location in Youngstown, Ohio and continued to work both locations by himself for several years. He was a devoted physician who loved his patients. Also, during most of his years in medical practice he served simultaneously as the Health Commissioner for Campbell, Ohio. Additionally, he served as Mahoning County Coroner. He belonged to many organizations, and he was very proud of being a member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd order, #3813.

He leaves behind his children, Jennifer Fiorini, Cynthia Fiorini, Belinda Belli, and Jude Fiorini as well as grandchildren, Nicholas Fiorini, Natalia Fiorini, Gabrielle Belli, Patrick Belli, and Noah Belli.

He will be buried at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY, alongside his wife.

For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com