Displaying items by tag: saratoga

COURT

Jeremy J. Defibaugh, 26, of Ballston Spa, pleaded May 24 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth-degree, a felony. Sentencing scheduled for July 19. 

Paul R. Ashdown, Jr., 41, of Mechanicville, pleaded May 24 to attempted criminal possession of stolen property in the third-degree, a felony, in Malta. Sentencing scheduled for July 12. 

Travis R. Broe, 29, of Queensbury, was sentenced May 24 to 1 year in jail, after pleading to aggravated DWI, regarding an incident that occurred in Northumberland. 

POLICE

Aaron Benware, 48, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 14 with criminal mischief in the fourth-degree, a misdemeanor, on South Broadway.

Sean Hinningan, 30, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 14 with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, on Congress Street. 

Ethan Dunn, 18, of Greenfield, was charged May 15 with grand larceny/ credit card in the fourth-degree, a felony, on Lake Avenue. 

Roy Roberts, 50, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 15 with criminal mischief in the third-degree, a felony, on Walworth Street. 

John Dobbins, 28, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was charged May 16 with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and speeding, on South Broadway, following a traffic stop. 

Kevin Kelly, 38, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 16 with petit larceny, and criminal trespass in the third-degree – both misdemeanors, on Railroad Place.  Kelly was additionally charged May 18 with burglary in the third-degree, a felony, petit larceny, and criminal trespass in the third-degree, on Ballston Avenue. 

Matthias Perrault, 22, of Corinth, was charged May 16 on a warrant with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth-degree. 

Alyssa Bridge, 26, of Ballston Spa, was charged May 16 with petit larceny, on Caroline Street. 

Victor Maffetone, 33, of Northville, was charged May 17 with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree, a misdemeanor, on Woodlawn Avenue. 

James Bowes, 62, of Cairo, was charged May 17 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and two driving violations, following a traffic stop on Woodlawn Avenue. 

Luis Marin, 47, of Ballston Spa, was charged May 18 with criminal trespass in the third-degree, a misdemeanor, on Jefferson Street. 

Robert Lawrence, 47, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 18 with assault in the third-degree, a misdemeanor, on Washington Street. 

Michael Martin, 48, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 18 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and speeding, on Ballston Avenue. 

Charles Usas, 40, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 19 with misdemeanor DWI, aggravated DWI, and refusing to take a breath test, on Congress Street. 

Randy Jones, 51, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 19 with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, disorderly conduct, and unlawful possession of marijuana, on Broadway. 

Johanna Piusz, 35, of Albany, was charged May 18 with resisting arrest, and criminal trespass in the third-degree – both misdemeanors, on Broadway. 

Darrick Conners, 45, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 20 with burglary in the third-degree, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor, on Ballston Avenue. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – A rollicking piano, nicely harnessed by a sturdy rhythm section, channels alongside the vocal sass of Annie Rosen and launches into Tommy Johnson’s 1928 “Big Road Blues,” introducing the sixth album by Capital/Saratoga region favorites Annie and the Hedonists.

Produced by Grammy award winner, Joel Moss and recorded at the legendary Dreamland Studio in Woodstock, the new album - “Bring it On Home” – features 12 vintage blues and jazz tracks from the 1920s through the 1950s, as well as a trio of original contemporary blues songs.    

On Friday May 31, the band will stage a record release party at Caffe Lena.

The Hedonists - comprised of core members Annie and Jonny Rosen, Donald Young and Peter Davis - are accompanied by drummer Jerry Marotta,  who spent two decades Jerry dividing his time between recording and touring with Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Tears for Fears, Joan Armatrading, Paul McCartney, and countless others. With “Bring it On Home,” the band is amiably assisted by guest musicians John Sebastian (yes, that one), Dave Davies (no, not that one), and Randy Reinhart. 

“This record differs from the other five,” says guitarist Jonny Rosen, “in that we decided to focus on two related genres of music, as opposed to our previous albums which were an eclectic mix of folk, country, bluegrass, blues and jazz.”  

The 12-song release features tasty renditions of a mid-20th century Parisian waltz (“Under Paris Skies”), a cornet and trombone mating that weaves through the sultry 1924 tune “Prescription for the Blues,” and a musical re-make of the Depression-Era protest song “The Panic Is Own,” whose updated lyrics include themes of the plight of the immigrant, the (lack of) gun control, rising oceans, Russian hackings and the ever-widening gap of economic inequality in a new world.

“Bring it On Home” also features a smattering of original tunes – from the Davis and Moss co-penned 12-bar blues femme homage “Bring It On Home To Mama,” to the love lost sorrow-cholic “Long Distance Call,” and “Who’d be knocking (Knocking on my door/ so late at night)” penned by Davies about one particularly strange pre-dawn awakening when the songwriter was startled from his slumber to find a stranger standing over his bed.  

Annie & the Hedonists album release concert will stake place 8 p.m. Friday May 31 at Caffé Lena, 47 Phila St. Special guests: Randy Reinhart and Dave Davies.  For reservations or more information, call 518-583-0022 or visit Caffe Lena. org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – In a unanimous 5-0 vote, the City Council on May 21 adopted a resolution in support of the Paris Climate Agreement. 

“This resolution represents the city’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, in which nation’s around the world recognize the threat of global warming and are committed to take action,“ said Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan, who introduced the resolution during the City Council’s meeting Tuesday night. 

“From the Spa Solar Park to the in-process plans to ensure city buildings are more energy efficient, the City Council has already taken a variety of proactive steps that recognize and address our concerns about climate change,” said Madigan, adding the future-looking statement that with the city’s 2020 budget, she intends to increase the city’s financial commitment to sustainability - specifically referencing a desire to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations on city-owned property as well as modernizing the city’s fleet of vehicles.

The Spa Solar Park - a 7,992 panel, 2.5-megawatt solar array built on the city's former Weibel Avenue landfill – was energized in August 2017. As of February 2019, 3.82 million kilowatt hours were generated providing more than $66,000 of budgetary savings for the city.

The resolution, Madigan said, commits the city to continue its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. “The resolution references the creation of a Climate Action Plan and we are currently having internal discussions on how best to proceed,” she said.

The council subsequently unanimously also approved a Local Law to establish a sustainable energy loan program in the city, as well as authorizing the mayor to sign a municipal agreement with the energy improvement corporation ("Energize NY Open C-PACE Financing Program").

The Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015, according to the United Nations Treaty Collection. In June 2017, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord - the procedures of which may begin in November 2019.  Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation aimed at preventing Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord.

New York has mandated a statewide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. 

COURT

Stephen K. Matthews, 47, of Gansevoort, was sentenced May 20 to one year in jail on the charge of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first-degree, and 15 days in jail on the charge of DWAI. Sentences to run concurrently. 

Paul C. Zaroba, 45, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded May 20 to felony DWI. Sentencing scheduled Sept. 9. 

POLICE

Jordan M. Snyder, 26, of Ballston Spa, was charged May 15 with harassment violation, endangering the welfare of a child - a misdemeanor, and felony criminal contempt. Snyder is alleged to have harassed another in the course of domestic dispute with children present, and also having violated a criminal court order of protection. 

Chad Cruger, 20, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 11 with criminal mischief: intent to damage property.

Robert Risacher, 28, of Argyle, was charged May 10 with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and a missing/improperly displayed license plate. 

 Colby Zerbe, 22, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 10 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, after being involved in a property damage accident on Henry Street.     

Tosha Jeremias, 35, of Corinth, was charged May 7 with felony burglary in the second-degree, misdemeanor assault, two counts endangering the welfare of a child, and harassment. Jeremias was arraigned in Corinth Town Court and sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $3,000 cash, or $6,000 bail bond. 

Stephen J. Miller, 40, of Mechanicville, was charged May 7 with assault in the third-degree, criminal mischief in the fourth-degree – both misdemeanors, and criminal contempt in the first-degree, a felony, following the issuance of an arrest warrant in Northumberland court. Miller is accused of assaulting another in the course of a domestic dispute, prevented her from calling 911 and violating an order of protection, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office.   

Joshua Wilcox, 40, of Milton, was charged with grand larceny in the fourth-degree. Wilcox is alleged to have stolen a debit card from a person known to him. 

Earl D. McConchie, 37, of Galway, was charged May 8 with two counts each: aggravated assault upon a child less than 11 years old, aggravated family offense, assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, menacing, and endangering the welfare of a child. McConchie is accused of abusing two children, who are the sons of a female acquaintance. Over the course of about 3 months, McConchie is alleged to have repeatedly struck the children, threatened them with a baseball bat, and choked them, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged actions occurred while he was watching the children while their mother was at work. The children are 9 and 10 years of age. 

POLICE REPORT

At 7:42 a.m. Monday, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office received a call reporting a man dressed in black, wearing a camouflage helmet and carrying a rifle was walking eastbound on Route 146 in the area of Northcrest Drive in Clifton Park. As a result of the report, the Shenedehowa campus was placed on lockout for approximately one hour. Authorities say a separate witness, who was located a s a result of the investigation, reported observing a man with a similar description in the same area and time frame carrying an umbrella.  The man was not located and the threat was determined to be unfounded, according to authorities. 

COURT

Francis X. Walling, 55, pleaded May 14 to possessing sexual performance by a child, a felony, in Ballston. Sentencing scheduled July 16. 

POLICE

Oscar Bazemore, 56, of Suffolk, Virginia, was charged May 6 with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree. 

Gwendolyn Willette, 62, of Argyle, was charged May 7 with misdemeanor DWI, and failure to keep to the right. 

Justin Anderson, 36, of Buda, TX, was charged May 8 with misdemeanor DWI, operating a motor vehicle without signaling, and refusal to take a breath test. 

Tammy Clark, 51, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 8 on an outstanding arrest warrant from Fairfax County, Virginia, regarding a DWI charge. 

Richard Holsclaw, 42, of Queensbury, was charged May 9 with criminal contempt in the second-degree. 

Hilary LaPoint, 27, of Moreau, was charged May 5 with criminal mischief in the second-degree, criminal tampering third-degree and conspiracy fifth-degree. LaPoint is accused of putting bleach in the gas tank of a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu belonging to a former acquaintance. 

“Oh my goodness. thank you thank you THANK YOU. top 3. holy moly guacamole. I hope to make you proud next week. Thank you for believing in me. thank you for seeing something in me that I didn’t see myself.”

– Instagram post from Madison VanDenburg, after learning she is
one of three finalists on ABC’s “American Idol.”

ALBANY – Her greatest passion is singing.

Seventeen-year-old singer/songwriter Madison VanDenburg has played the piano and guitar most of her life. The classically trained 11th-grade student at Shaker High School first realized the promise of her talents performing karaoke as a 10-year-old alongside the sounds of Celine Dion – whom she calls one of her biggest musical inspirations.

VanDenburg recently released her debut single, is currently writing new songs for her first EP and performs live across the Capital Region. Sunday May 19 may prove to the biggest moment, if not the most memorable of the young singer’s career when she performs as a finalist on ABC’s “American Idol.” And like fellow “American Idol” contestants Laine Hardy – of Livingston, Louisiana, and Alejandro Aranda - of Pomona, California, returned to her native roots this week.

Her homecoming tour kicked off with a Pep Rally at Shaker High School and continued with a parade and performance at The Crossings of Colonie, where she and played guitar in front of a supportive Capital Region crowd who chanted her name. The Capital District Transportation Authority also got involved by providing transportation shuttle service to concert goers, and Stewart’s Shops introduced a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream flavor in her name.

“As a singer, your instrument is yourself. More important than being on ‘Idol,’ is being a whole, authentic person,” says Clifton Park’s Modern Day Music vocal coach Lesley O’Donnell, who has taught   VanDenburg and Moriah Formica - who appeared in 2017 on NBC’s “The Voice.”

“Both have been like the little sisters I never had,” says O’Donnell, whose interview appears in the Home & Garden edition of Simply Saratoga magazine, a Saratoga TODAY publication that is available May 16. “Keeping the whole self - healthy and grounded - is first and foremost.”

The national singing competition show “American idol” first broadcast in 2002. Some of the show’s previous winners have gone on to extensive show biz careers - Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, among them. Adam Lambert was a runner-up during the eighth season of American Idol in 2009.

The season finale airs 8 p.m. Sunday. A nationwide vote will be held during the live finale simulcast to determine who will be crowned the next American Idol. Weezer, Carrie Underwood, Kool + The Gang and all three Idol judges - Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, are expected to perform during the season finale, according to Billboard Magazine. Dan + Shay are slated to perform “All to Myself” and “Speechless” with VanDenburg.

ALBANY – Greg Haymes flipped through the memories in his brain of the earliest days of the band Blotto. Their recording of the tongue-in-cheek song "I Wanna Be A Lifeguard" had been picked up by legendary DJ Vin Scelsa of WNEW-FM, was played on the Dr. Demento Show, and the song’s accompanying video was shown by MTV on its first day of broadcast in 1981.

“The Blotto concept was always about the party,” he remembered in the days preceding the band’s return to Saratoga Springs in 2015 for a New Year’s Eve gig at the City Center. 

“Back in our heyday we would have beach parties, pajama parties, and those Halloween parties which were called Blottoween.” He had performed onstage as everything from Dracula to Alfred E. Newman and a rhinestone-studded Elvis, to donning a blue dress with white polka dots and a blonde wig and taking the stage at a roller rink that would later become JB Scott’s Theater.

“That year we went dressed as the Go-Go’s and I went as Belinda Carlisle,” he said. “If you’re not enjoying yourself on stage, how can you expect anyone in the audience to have fun?”

Haymes will be remembered by some in the MTV video logs as Sarge Blotto – the stage name the adopted with the band Blotto in the 1980s, and recalled by many others - particularly those in this region’s music community - as Greg Haymes: writer, poet, musician, artist.

His bands included Blotto, the Star Spangled Washboard Band, Ramblin’ Jug Stompers, and others; His artwork was displayed across the Capital Region - Firlefanz Gallery, Albany Center Gallery and Spectrum 8 Theatres, among them, and for several decades his words graced the printed pages and websites of the Albany Times Union, the Daily Gazette, Metroland, and most recently Nippertown.com.  

Born in Buffalo in 1951, Haymes died April 10 from complications of metastatic lung cancer. He was 68.

A remembrance and celebration of his life will be held 4-6 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at The Egg, at Empire State Plaza. Those wishing to attend are requested to RSVP with name and the number of people attending at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 SARATOGA SPRINGS - The city’s Design Review Commission is this week considering a historic review of renovations to City Hall.

The structure, which opened in 1871, was struck by lightning in August 2018, resulting in extensive fire and water related damage to the structure.  The majority of city business has since been temporarily relocated to the Vanderbilt Avenue recreation facility.

Improvements are being made to the infrastructure of the building – from electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, to communication, security systems and offices. A state mandated expansion, or additionalal court room, is also in the works.

The restoration and renovation work extends across all the building’s floors, including the upper-level Saratoga Music Hall. This week, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation released a statement to say it does not support the proposed change to the vestibule that alters the entry into the interior of City Hall and does not find the proposed treatment of the Music Hall appropriate.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco is expected to provide an update of the City Hall renovation project at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.  Last November, city officials reported that the cost to reconstruct and restore City Hall is anticipated to carry an approximate $11.2 million price tag, with insurance proceeds expected to cover roughly half of the total project cost.

Intrada

The city’s Planning Board, meanwhile, is considering a site plan modification to an approved multi-family residential project at 247 Washington St.

Named “Intrada,” the multi-unit affordable housing facility will be comprised of four buildings and more than 150 residential units. It will be located on Washington Street by the Saratoga Springs train station. The 19-acre property was purchased for $3.7 Million by the Vecino Group from Saratoga Route 29 Plaza Ltd.

Newly proposed modifications presented to the Planning Board include: screened fencing to provide privacy for patios, the addition of an egress door on the east side of building 1 on Washington St., a reduction in the number of parking lot poles – from 21 poles to 16 poles, bollard lights – from 31 poles to 11 poles, and decorative street lights – from 17 to 16. The landscaping plan was also reduced from the planting of 98 trees to 75 trees, and shrubs – from 198 to 159.  

Flat Rock Centre Parking Structure

Hundreds of pages of prepared documents pertaining to the City Center parking garage project have been submitted to both the Planning Board and the DRC. Both Land Use Boards are staging an advisory discussion on the proposed parking structure.

Included among the documents is a letter submitted by assistant building inspector and zoning officer Patrick Cogan stating that while he recommends the city seek an advisory opinion from the DRC, such review would be non-binding, and that the proposed action is exempt from the provisions of the city’s Zoning ordinance and that it “may proceed without requirements for approvals from the city’s Land Use Boards.” 

A second letter, submitted by Sustainable Saratoga, expresses concerns regarding the current design. Specifically, the organization cites that the structure would abut the Maple Avenue property line for over 200 feet and not be set back 50 feet from the property line of adjacent streets as recommended in the Zoning ordinance, potentially creating a “dead and unproductive street life.”  Additional concerns include: that the first floor of the parking garage should include commercial and civic spaces, and that the pedestrian bridge designed to cross over Maple Avenue is both, undesirable and unnecessary.