Realtor Safety Month: Smart Safety Tips for Home Buyers & Sellers
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Saddle Up! Saratoga Bike Rodeo Returns
Photo provided by Jake Zanetti.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Got a buckin’ bronco that you’re itching to ride? Grab the reins and mosey that boy on over to the Saratoga Springs School District’s annual Bike Rodeo on Thursday, May 7 (4:30-6:30 p.m.) at the East Side Recreation Field’s track and in-field off of Caroline Street—the rowdiest, rootinest, tootinest street of them all.
Kids with bicycles can get everything checked out before Bike-to-School Day on May 15. Mechanics will be on site for minor maintenance. The rodeo will include a helmet-fitting station, bike safety stations, games, a bike obstacle course, and a relay race contest. All kids participating in the event can fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a new kids’ bike from Trek Saratoga Bicycles (up to $350 value).
Registration tables will be at the Caroline Street side of the park entrance. Parents should plan to accompany their kids for the duration of the event. Participating cowboys and cowgirls should wear their helmets (a limited supply of helmets will also be donated when in need). Parking may be limited, so plan to bike over, or check for excess parking at the Caroline Street School and St. Clement’s School.
Those interested in volunteering to help out at the rodeo can do so at the link below.
“The more volunteers we get, the smoother the event runs, and we’re hoping to make this year’s rodeo the best ever,” said Lake Avenue Physical Education Teacher Jake Zanetti.
Sing in the Streets: Caffe Lena Announces Free Music Festival
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caffè Lena will present its fifth annual Sing in the Streets Festival on Sunday, May 17 from noon to 5 p.m.
The free, family-friendly celebration will feature 23 acts across 10 stages, with a genre-spanning lineup that includes folk, blues, jazz, country, and soul. A dedicated Family Stage will offer performances tailored for children and families.
Performers include the Alexis P. Suter Band, Sway Wild, Reese Fulmer & the Carriage House Band, Tops of Trees, Kevin McKrell, Kathleen Parks Band, Carolyn Shapiro, Honeysuckle, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, Caity Gallagher, Jenna Nicholls, Beecharmer, High Tea, GNP, Strawberry Wine, Michael Jerling, Roosevelt Baker, Girl Love, and CowBelle.
The Family Stage performers include The Rolling Pebbles (Caffè Lena School of Music Folk Ensemble), The Jazz Modes (Caffè Lena School of Music Jazz Ensemble), The Volunteers of America (Caffè Lena Volunteers Ensemble), and Deb Cavanaugh & Dandelion Wine.
The festival is open to the public and will take place rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, performances will move to nearby indoor locations. A full schedule and weather plan will be posted at www.caffelena.org/singinthestreets/ in the days leading up to the event.
The Saratoga Singers Who Comfort the Dying
The Saratoga Threshold Singers rehearse inside a studio space at the SPAC School of the Arts on March 23. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — What do the final moments of a person’s life on Earth sound like?
For those with the Saratoga Threshold Singers at their bedside, it could sound like the ethereal acapella music that drifted down the echoing halls of the SPAC School of the Arts one recent Monday afternoon.
“Oh, fold thy wings and seek thy nest now; Oh, shine the berry on the bright tree; The bird is home from the mountain and valley,” sang the choir, rehearsing the Gaelic lullaby “Hush Thee My Dove.” The folk song concludes with “Cadul gu lo,” which translates to “sleep on.”
The Threshold Choir operates more than 200 chapters across the globe, each of which offers bedside singing to those on the threshold of life and whatever may follow. The Saratoga Springs-based chapter has nine members and rehearses weekly at the SPAC School of the Arts.
“Six weeks ago, we sang at the hospice for a family where the wife and adult children were there, and they had all said their goodbyes and ‘you can go now’ to their father,” recalled Saratoga Threshold singer Avena Ward, a retired United Church of Christ minister. “We were asked to come in, and we sang several of our songs about being able to release and lay down your burdens. As we left the house, we found out that he had taken his last breath. To be able to communicate something that was needed in the moment is just a beautiful gift that we have with music that you can’t accomplish with words.”
“We sang, via telephone, to my sister as she was dying,” said Threshold singer Lizzie Mehrtens. “She was a Catholic nun, and she had just expressed to people, her friends, that she wasn’t feeling connected to God… That was in the afternoon, and she died the next morning. That, to me, was so special because I couldn’t be there with her.”
“We sang for a woman who was unconscious, or she didn’t appear conscious, but after we sang, she let out an [exhale], a beautiful sound, clearly relaxing with our music,” said Abigail Reid. “I think that [moment] really stuck with me.”
Reid initiated the Saratoga chapter of the Threshold Singers after she stopped teaching. She caught wind of the international Threshold organization, got in touch with them, and was soon provided with a mentor. Reid then found a handful of locals, all of them women, who were interested in volunteering. For about a year, this small coalition worked on a musical repertoire with their mentor. Then they officially launched, and in the past three years, they’ve sung for about 30 different individuals or families.
“The beauty of the greater Threshold community is, if you want, if you’re part of this community, you can travel to anywhere there’s a chapter, and you can sit in on a rehearsal and connect,” said Donna Sardone, a hospice volunteer and massage therapist. “It’s such a wide community of connection, and that’s what I love about it.”
Threshold Singers arrive at their respective chapters with different sets of skills and life experiences. But all members seem united in their willingness to, as ancient philosophers once phrased it, “Memento mori,” or “remember that you must die.” For some, thinking about death is not merely an unpleasant subject; it’s a way to make the most of their finite lives.
“I am a proponent of talking about death,” said Elizabeth Conant, a professional musician who has also hosted local Death Cafes in which participants gather to discuss life’s final departure. “[The Saratoga Threshold Singers] is a lovely combination of the two things I do… What we do here with this group is—I’m not a religious person, but I say it’s God’s work in the world. It really is. We’ll all nod to that. It feels like that. It really does. It’s a beautiful thing that we’re able to do. I feel so honored to be a part of it.”
Those interested in either joining the Threshold Singers or requesting their services can do so by emailing saratoga@thresholdchoir.org.
To learn more about the worldwide Threshold organization, visit thresholdchoir.org.
Corinth man arrested for Threatening to throw a Knife at Deputies.
A Corinth man has been arrested after he allegedly threatened to throw a kitchen knife at Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputies back in February.
Roy Cheyenne, 49 was arrested April 7, 2026, on charges of felony menacing a police officer, felony 3rd degree criminal possession of a weapon, felony first degree unlawful imprisonment and misdemeanor 4th degree criminal possession of a weapon.
According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office, Cheyenne allegedly threatened deputies with kitchen knives and acted as if he was going to throw them at the officers. In addition, Cheyenne is accused of unlawfully restraining someone by not providing them with a key to open a padlock while he was armed with the knives.
The incident occurred Feb. 24 on Main Street in the Village of Corinth. Cheyenne was arraigned in the Corinth Town Court and remanded into custody pending proceedings.
State Police Arrest Moreau Man Following Stabbing Investigation
On March 29, 2026, State Police of Wilton arrested Clinton J. Breault, 55, of Moreau, NY, for:
o Assault, 2nd, a class “D” felony
o Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd, a class “D” felony
o Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th, a class “A” misdemeanor
On March 29, 2026, at about 2:51 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Bluebird Road in Moreau for the report of an individual suffering from a stab wound. The investigation determined that during a dispute Breault allegedly stabbed the victim, who was known to him, in the hand. The injury was determined to be non-life-threatening, and the victim was transported to Glens Falls Hospital for treatment.
Breault was arrested and transported to SP Wilton for processing. He was then arraigned at the Moreau Town Court, where he was released on his own recognizance.
State Police Arrest Two Following Moreau Stabbing Investigation
On April 6, 2026, State Police of Wilton arrested Tiffany L. Cary, 39, of Queensbury and Stanley L. Whitted,63, of Lake George, each for Assault 2nd, a class “D” felony.
On March 6, 2026, at approximately 2:48 p.m., State Police responded to the report of an individual with a stab wound at a residence on Bluebird Road in Moreau. On arrival, a man was located with stab wounds to the chest and facial area and was transported by EMS to Albany Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
The investigation determined the stabbing occurred at the boat launch parking lot located on Nolan Road in Moreau, and the injured individual fled the location to the residence on Bluebird. Further investigation determined that Cary and Whitted met with the injured individual at Nolan Road when a physical altercation occurred, during which the individual was stabbed and struck by a vehicle. All individuals involved in this incident were known to each other.
Cary and Whitted were located at a residence on Cherry Street in Hudson Falls, NY a short time later, taken into custody, and transported to SP Wilton. Cary and Whitted were then arraigned at the Moreau Town Court, where Whitted was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail. Cary was also remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 cash, $2,000 bond, or a $10,000 partially secured bond.
The injured individual was treated and was released from the hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
Saratoga “Psycho” Killer: New Thriller Features Spa City
“Marion” book cover via St. Martin’s Press.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Could the quaint city of Saratoga Springs produce a serial killer?
In “Marion,” a forthcoming novel that reimagines the plot of the classic horror film “Psycho,” the protagonist is a Saratoga native cast in the Marion Crane role. But rather than succumb to the knife-wielding, mother-obsessed, shower-stalking Norman Bates, this Marion fights back.
Author Leah Rowan (a pen name) used “Psycho” as the basis for her plot but altered much of the original story. What emerged is an unpredictable, twist-heavy thriller in which Saratoga Springs plays a key role.
“I think it’s an interesting location because it is very far from New York City, but then it’s got its own culture and all these hotels,” Rowan told Saratoga TODAY. “It’s a destination in its own right.”
The book’s Marion character, much like her movie counterpart, steals a large sum of cash and boards an Upstate-bound bus in Manhattan. But the bus breaks down in New Paltz, where the Norman character operates an aging motel that he insists is on the brink of major renovations. When Marion finds that the handsome and seemingly friendly Norman isn’t quite right in the head, her anger towards the abusive men she’s encountered in her life suddenly gushes forth, much like the blood that spills out of certain characters’ bodies.
“Psycho” was set in Arizona, and as Rowan noted in her interview with Saratoga TODAY, the exact location of the story isn’t terribly crucial. But since the author splits her time between Brooklyn and the Catskills, her familiarity with New York State helped inform Marion’s movements and destinations. Although only a relatively small percentage of the novel takes place in Saratoga, the city looms large in the story, right up until the final sentences.
Attentive readers will spot references to the Times Union newspaper, the Saratoga Springs train station, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga, and the Saratoga Casino Hotel. But it may be hard to focus on these details when absorbed in the story, which manically twists in all directions like a killer’s knife plunged into a victim.
“I don’t know what this says about me, but I had so much fun writing this book,” Rowan said. “Literally, more fun than I’ve ever had… I think horror is really having a moment. I think it’s because there are a lot of horrors in the world. I think writing about them in a way that’s fun and almost absurd, at times, helps us process things.”
Of course, the idea of a psychotic killer running amok in Saratoga is absurd. Why, Saratogians wouldn’t even harm a fly.
Saratogians Vie for Visionary of the Year
Photos of Saratoga Springs Police Lieutenant Angela McGovern and Chef Noah Frese via Blood Cancer United’s Visionary of the Year Albany.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lieutenant Angela McGovern of the Saratoga Springs Police Department and Chef Noah Frese, of Noah’s Italian and Siro’s fame, are both vying for Blood Cancer United’s Visionary of the Year honor for the Albany area.
Visionary of the Year is a 10-week philanthropic challenge. Each of the ten candidates is tasked with forming a fundraising team that will compete to earn the most donations between the dates of March 6 and May 15. The funds will be used by Blood Cancer United to support patients and their families, support research efforts and clinical trials, and advocate to break down barriers to accessing care.
“When I was nominated to do this, I instantly thought of a few people: One is my grandmother, who has multiple myeloma, and the other is retired Troy Police Sergeant Jim O’Brien, who lost his life to blood cancer,” McGovern wrote to Saratoga TODAY. “Our law enforcement officers spend most of their lives sacrificing for others and deserve to live long, healthy retirements. Jim was only 47 years old and had been in law enforcement from 1984 until 2010, when he had to retire due to his illness. He would pass away in December of that same year.”
“I want to use this opportunity and this campaign to show the local community who police really are,” McGovern continued. “We are kind-hearted, caring, and compassionate people who truly love and want to protect our little slices of the world.”
McGovern’s fundraising efforts include several local events, such as the Big Hole Golf Tournament at the Saratoga Lake Golf Course on May 9, and a “Jail for Bail” event during which McGovern will build cells at the Saratoga Springs City Center and arrest some local “VIPs” who will have to bail themselves out before the other cellmates.
Those interested in supporting McGovern’s fundraising campaign can follow along with her Instagram account (@inpursuitofacure) or her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/inpursuitofacure).
In his Visionary of the Year profile, Chef Noah Frese detailed the impact that cancer has had on his busy life, much of it spent in kitchens.
“This past fall, I lost my Mimi to cancer,” Frese wrote. “She was my inspiration, always there to support me and make sure I had every opportunity in life. Losing her made me realize how precious health and time are and how important it is to fight for a future where no family has to endure the pain of this disease. Now, as a father, I feel an even deeper purpose to help find a cure, so that children like my own can grow up healthy and full of opportunities.”
To support Frese’s campaign, visit pages.lls.org/voy/uny/alb26/nfrese.
Task Force Meets to Combat Animal Abuse
The Saratoga County Animal Abuse Task Force held a meeting April 1 to discuss new tactics for combating animal abuse (Aidan Cahill)
Sheriff Jeff Brown said one of the factors that led to the formation of the task force was the recent case of animal abuse at A Time Four Paws
(Courtesy of the Saratoga County DA’s Office).
After a summer which saw several high-profile animal abuse incidents in Saratoga, the county is taking action.
A new task force has been formed to combat the issue and develop a coordinated response to incidents of abuse in Saratoga County. The task force is comprised of members of the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, animal control officers, Saratoga County Health Department, elected officials and the Saratoga County Animal Shelter.
The task force invited members of the media to attend a meeting on April 1 where they went over recent changes to policies and procedures related to animal abuse.
One of those changes was the introduction of a thermal camera to detect bruising on an animal without having to shave it. District Attorney Brett Eby said the camera was bought with asset forfeiture funds and it was given to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office at the meeting.
The purchase and use of the camera was lauded by Saratoga County Animal Shelter Director Kelly Devall.
“The one problem that we have is a lot of these animals are beaten in some way, shape or form and it’s very hard to detect the bruising,” Devall said. “We did have one case where we were able to shave the dog and see very clear bruising. In other cases, we won’t be that lucky.”
The shelter also recently received a new one-touch x-ray machine to help treat injuries more effectively as well as a new laser therapy machine to assist in treating animals with skin problems.
On the law enforcement side, Deputies are being equipped with devices to measure heat and ammonium content in areas where animals are found to better assess the conditions the animals were living in.
“Instead of walking in and saying the ammonium scent a was really strong, they will have an actual reading of what was going on, or how high the temperature was that the animals were having to exist in with no food and no water and the impact that could be having on those animals as far as their lungs go,” Devall said.
Saratoga County Sheriff Jeff Brown said that deputies trained in animal abuse investigations will have access to these tools to help in their investigations.
The task force came about after an incident at A Time Four Paws in the Town of Halfmoon, where multiple animals were found confined in an areas without proper ventilation or sufficient access to water in July 2025. One of the animals, a French bulldog named Gus tragically died from heatstroke as a result of the incident.
The owner of A Time Fourr Paws, Yvette Giovanni, was recently indicted on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, criminal mischief in the second degree, and 11 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals. The incident, along with another incident in the Town of Argyle led local lawmakers to propose legislation to regulate boarding facilities statewide. The bill is currently in committee.
Brown said that the incident at A Time Four Paws highlighted the need for more coordination among the agencies involved in combating animal abuse.
“One of the reasons that this task force was formed that was such a large case,” Brown said. “There were people coming in from all over on that. We thought the task force would formalize those relationships. So when those big all hands-on-deck cases come in, we built the relationships and we’re more ready to respond to those cases.”
Another major development that came as a result of the animal abuse cases was the introduction of a county-wide animal abuse registry. In September, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the law creating the registry with it first being implemented in January of this year.
Under the law, those who have been convicted of animal abuse offenses are required to register as an animal abuser and submit a photo. So far, one person has been added to the registry, Richard Mark Doyle, who pled guilty to animal abuse this year.
Saratoga is one of 20 counties in New York to implement the registry. While independent groups compile this information, there is no state registry statewide.
“There are different independent groups that will take all of the county registries, and they compile them on to one website,” Eby said. “Obviously, it would be better to have a statewide registry, but in Saratoga County, we didn’t want to wait for Albany to get tough on animal abuse and take it as seriously as we are.”