Displaying items by tag: saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee announced its

candidate endorsements for city office in 2019.

The SSDC endorsed all four Democratic incumbents running for re-election: Meg Kelly, Mayor; Michele Madigan, Finance Commissioner; John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts; and Tara Gaston, County Supervisor.

The SSDC also voted to endorse one of its members, Dillon Moran, for Commissioner of Public Works. “Dillon’s engineering education, business background and close study of the City’s infrastructure and operations all form a solid basis for our support,” SSDC Chair Courtney DeLeonardis said, in a statement.

For Public Safety Commissioner, where the Democratic incumbent is not seeking re-election, the Committee decided not to endorse at this time.

“We heard from two strong, well-qualified candidates – Eileen Finneran and Kendall Hicks -- who each impressed Committee members,” DeLeonardis said. “Both individuals have a lot to offer the City. I believe Committee members, along with other supporters, will help both candidates qualify for the primary election in June, when voters will decide who runs for Public Safety Commissioner on the Democratic line in the fall.”

City Republicans will meet Tuesday and subsequently announce their endorsements for 2019,  GOP chair Matt Hogan said Monday.

Primaries will take place June 25, and the General Election on Nov. 5. All five City Council seats and both city Supervisor seats are up for election this year. 

Published in News
Thursday, 21 February 2019 15:10

"Dream Big": Japanese Resort Sets Sights on Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS – An international resort company with a stated mission to “dream big” is eyeing the Spa City as a place to potentially develop its latest luxury hotel.   

Hoshino Resorts, which operates 37 facilities both in and outside Japan, operates four distinct brands: luxury flagships, hot spring resorts, resort hotels, and city tourism hotels, featuring venues which vary from countrified mountainside resorts to the heart of big-city Tokyo. The company entered into a Memorandum of Agreement of Sale in September as purchaser regarding two parcels of land totaling nearly 87 acres, located just south of Saratoga Spa State Park. A “deed agreement” was filed with the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office on Oct. 3.    

According to the company’s literature, Hoshino Resorts provides “a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi Japanese-style hospitality.”

Hoshino Resorts was first established as a traditional Japanese inn in 1914. Today, the hotel management company is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino.

The company was formerly known as Hoshino Onsen Co., Ltd. and changed its name to Hoshino Resorts Inc. in 1995, and is based in Kitasaku, Japan, according to Bloomberg.com. An Albany-based attorney representing Hoshino Resorts did not return a phone message requesting information for this story. 

The memorandum of agreement notes two specific parcels: 6.88 acres at Route 9 and Columbia Avenue, and 79.34 acres at 38 Columbia Avenue. The lands are located in a mostly wooded area, just south of the Saratoga Spa State Park and East West Road, just off Route 9. According to the document, the closing and transfer of title is slated to potentially take place within 30 days of the end of the due diligence period, specified as Nov. 1, 2020. Hoshino has the exclusive right to purchase the properties under the agreement. 

Specific plans for the type of development under consideration for development in Saratoga Springs are not known.

Bradley Birge, the city’s administrator of planning and economic development, said formal applications that would signal the potential start of a project – such as a building permit - have yet to be filed with any of the city’s Land Use boards. Salomone and Company – a limited liability company with offices in New York City, is listed as the “seller” of the properties, according to the memorandum of agreement of sale. 

Steven Salomone, whose grandfather Saverio Salomone purchased the property in the 1940s, was unable to confirm or deny anything relative to a potential transaction. He does remember visiting the property as a young man.    

“When I was kid, we would go up there every summer,” recalled Steven Salomone, who is 64 years old. “I remember the State Park being next door. That was exciting to us. There is a small pond or lake on the property towards the back and when it would freeze, Saverio would go out and chop the ice and sell it.  He was apparently running a pretty good business doing that,” Salomone says, with a laugh. “Back in the day people were still using ice boxes up there. I think they used to call it the Ice Lake.”   

In 1949, Saverio was granted Zoning Board approval to erect six cabins off Columbia Ave., according to city records.

“Buying land in Saratoga to my grandfather, it was like buying farmland,” Salomone says. “You know he was an Italian immigrant and owning land was something that was important; having land in the county was important to them. My grandfather and grandmother also put a small hotel up – not a hotel by today’s standards, but they had rooms they would rent out. It was called the Salomone Motel and when the racetrack was busy and people were looking to rent anything that was possible, we used to have people stay in the rooms.” 

As the grandparents got older, the property was used less frequently. The bungalows eventually came down and a main house, which had been rented out, has been dormant for the past handful of years, Salomone says.

 

   

Published in News
Thursday, 21 February 2019 14:44

Member of Skidmore Class Wins Grammy

Emily Lazar, a member of the Skidmore College Class of 1993, earlier this month won a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for her engineering work on Beck's "Colors" album. She is the first woman to win in the category, according to the college.

As president and chief mastering engineer of The Lodge, which she started in 1997, Lazar has worked with a range of groundbreaking music from platinum-selling artists such as David Bowie, Lou Reed, Destiny's Child, The Raveonettes, Madonna, Saratoga Springs' own The Figgs, Missy Elliot, Sonic Youth, The Donnas and Ian Hunter, to name a few.  She has also mastered original sound tracks for feature films including "Training Day" and "Boys Don't Cry" and TV series such as "Six Feet Under."

After studio internships, jobs and a master's in music technology from New York University, Lazar opened up her own space, Lazar told CNBC, after accepting her award.

Lazar was previously nominated in 2014 for the Foo Fighters' "Wasting Light," which was up for Album of the Year, and for Record of the Year for Sia's hit "Chandelier” in 2014. In 2016, she was nominated for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for her work on the album "Recreational Love" by American indie pop duo The Bird and the Bee. Lazar completed a major in English and a minor in music at Skidmore.

Published in Entertainment
Thursday, 21 February 2019 14:32

Pucks and Ponytails

Photos by Lindsay Wilson. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs' co-ed hockey league, The Saratoga Blue Knights Pee Wee team is a representation of the national growing trajectory of female participation in hockey.
There are three teams in the PeeWee division, A, B and C all divided based strictly on skillset. Of the 12 players on each team, the A team has five girls and the B team has three. Five of these girls participated in the Empire State Winter Games three weeks ago in Lake Placid and won the gold.
According to the National Federation of State High School Association, the participation of girls in ice hockey has increased by 585 players recorded nationally between 2013 and 2016.
“What’s awesome is to see a number of girls that are coming up,” said Pee Wee A assistant coach Molly Morgoslepov. “These kids are 11 and 12 years old and to see what they can do now - stuff I wasn’t doing until I was 25. It’s really fun to watch.”
Last year the USA Women’s Hockey team made headlines when they took home the gold medal against Canada at Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Even with the rise of girls and women being represented in ice hockey, these girls still get mixed responses whenever someone hears that they play the sport.
 
“They are always confused at first but then they’re like - wow, that’s so cool,” said Annie Tolan of the Pee Wee B team.
Rowyn Pemrick of the Pee Wee A team explained, “they’re normally surprised and they always think that boys should just be the ones playing hockey.”
Luckily for the girls of the Pee Wee teams, these assumptions do not cross over into their rink.
“As coaches, it’s great because people don’t care if you’re a boy or girl, they just want you to be an athlete and compete,” said Coach DeAnzeris.
Seeing these girls eager to play hockey shouldn’t come as a surprise, because like many child athletes, they were introduced to the sport from it simply being a family affair.
“I went to one of my older cousin’s college hockey games,” said Lucie Frazier of Pee Wee A. “My brother started playing and I liked watching it so then I wanted to try playing it.”
“I think for each one of them, it’s their favorite sport. I’ve never met a kid who plays hockey, and it’s not their favorite sport,” said Coach Edward.
In unison, the girls all agreed with a passionate “yes!” It is indeed their favorite sport.
The only time the difference of gender takes the forefront of the player’s minds is the absence of a designated locker room. In many non-co-ed team sports, locker rooms are a place to shower and change before and after practices and games. As for the Pee Wee team, the locker room is designed to be a communitive meeting spot before games, as opposed to a place to change. This format is common for USA Hockey leagues nationally.
Both the coaches and the players agree that they all treat each other with respect. They have fun and challenge each other to be their very best.
When on the ice, Coach DeAnzeris tells us, “you won’t be able to tell in a good way (who's a boy or a girl) based on skill; you can tell mainly by the ponytails.”
 
Published in Sports
Wednesday, 20 February 2019 19:00

February 22 – February 28, 2019

POLICE

Brendan J. Benequisto, age 36, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 17 with disorderly conduct; resisting arrest- misdemeanor. 

Matthew J. McDonald, age 24, Troy, was charged Feb. 17 with criminal trespass in the second degree- misdemeanor. 

Duane M. Allen, age 55, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 17 with theft of services/refusal pay for service- misdemeanor. 

Eric S. Johnson, age 33, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 17 with aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd/3+  suspension- misdemeanor; equipment (headlights). 

Michael P. Adams, age 32, Hudson Falls, was charged Feb. 17 with disorderly conduct; resisting arrest- misdemeanor; obstructing governmental administration second- misdemeanor. 

Tatyana C. Rodriguez, age 25, Schuylerville, was charged Feb. 16 with driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; speeding - posted zone; failed to signal a turn - last one hundred feet; refuse pre-screen test.

Evan D. Strock, age 22, Albany, was charged Feb. 16 with resisting arrest- misdemeanor; attempted assault in the 3rd degree/ intent physical injury- misdemeanor. 

Matthew D. Schwab, age 21, Stowe, Vermont, was charged Feb. 16 with equipment (headlights and rear lights) manuf. after Jan. 1952; driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor. 

Robert J. Amore, age 54, Slingerlands, was charged Feb. 15 with driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; speeding - posted zone; fail to signal turn, change lanes, parked.

Thomas M. Denney, age 22, Cambridge, Massachusetts, was charged Feb. 15 with aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- misdemeanor; failed to stop at stop sign. 

Marie Morrill, age 37, Queensbury, was charged Feb. 15 with driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; fail to keep right; refuse pre-screen test.

Ashley P. Ventura, age 26, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 15 with speeding - posted zone; aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- misdemeanor. 

Rebecca L. Johnson, age 48, Greenfield Center, was charged Feb. 15 with aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- misdemeanor; passed a red traffic signal light. 

John T. Patterson, age 34, Galway, was charged Feb. 14 with criminal possession stolen property fourth degree- felony; criminal possession of stolen property fourth- felony; criminal possession stolen property fifth degree- misdemeanor. 

Lauren M. Jones, age 28, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 13 with use of portable electronic devices; driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; unsafe lane change.

Russell E. Duffney, age 52, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 12 with criminal impersonation second degree/ impersonating another- misdemeanor. 

Adam R. Weilacher, age 38, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 12 with petit larceny- misdemeanor.

Donna M. Tozzi, age 58, Brielle, New Jersey, was charged Feb. 12 with criminal possession of stolen property fourth- felony; attempted grand larceny fourth degree/exceeds $1,000. 

Steven P. Crystal, age 64, Saratoga Springs was charged Feb. 12 with criminal possession of a forged instrument second- felony; grand larceny fourth degree/exceeds $100.00 and motor vehicle - felony; criminal possession of stolen property fourth- felony; grand larceny third degree- felony. 

Sean M. W. Pacheco, age 36, Albany, was charged Feb. 10 with fail to keep right; driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor.

Alexander L. Chaney, age 19, Stillwater, was charged Feb. 10 with unlawful possession of marijuana; criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th- misdemeanor. 

Jillian M. Wright, age 24, Glens Falls, was charged Feb. 10 with unlawful possession of marijuana; no/expired inspection certificate. 

Jeffrey J. Tope, age 22, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 10 with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th- misdemeanor/ 2 counts; disorderly conduct. 

Harry Brown, age 59, Malta, was charged Feb. 9 with driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; improper lane use. 

Brendan J. Flanigan, age 41, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 8 with driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; refuse pre-screen test; unsafe lane change; fail to keep right. 

Hope M. Caprood, age 41, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 8 with petit larceny- misdemeanor; falsifying business records in the second degree- misdemeanor. 

Mikaela O. Demarco, age 24, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 8 with petit larceny- misdemeanor.

Edward K. Akins, age 55, Greenfield, was charged Feb. 8 with aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- misdemeanor; unsafe backing. 

Andrew G. Bremer, age 21, Saratoga Springs, was charged Feb. 8 with criminal mischief in the third degree- felony. 

Published in Police Blotter
Thursday, 21 February 2019 12:35

Connor Johnson: Athlete of the Week

Photos provided.

Connor Johnson is an 8th grader at Galway Central Jr./Sr. High School who plays basketball at the YMCA Wilton Branch, as well as for his school and the Athletic Armature Union. 
“Connor enjoys helping and teaching the other kids there (at the YMCA) how to play basketball,” said Cynthia Johnson, Connor’s Mom.

Question: How old were you when you started playing basketball?
Answer: I started playing when I was 12. I started playing at the Y.

Question: What made you want to get into basketball?
Answer: It was something I always wanted to do. 

Question: Who is your favorite professional athlete?
Answer: Curry, Stephen Curry. I like that he’s little and going against the pros. He was doubted when he was a kid, and now he’s proven everyone wrong.

Question: Who are you most inspired by?
Answer: The most inspiring thing to me is my family, and my grandparents. But other things that inspire me are my coaches, my friends; the YMCA is a inspiring thing for me.

Questions: Who are your biggest fans?
Answer: My papsy, my mom and my family.

Question: What is your favorite thing about basketball?
Answer: I like the competitive side of it and I like that there is a lot of action. 

Question: Least favorite?
Answer: Injuries and getting hurt. 

Question: Have you had many injuries?
Answer: Not a lot, but I have had rolled ankles here and there. 

Question: What do you do to get hyped up for a game?
Answer: The people around me pump me up saying ‘you’re gonna do good out there!’ I warm up and stretch.

Connor is already looking at colleges in hopes of continuing to play basketball, the sport he loves, wherever he attends. 

Published in Sports
Wednesday, 13 February 2019 19:00

February 15 – February 21, 2019

COURT

Kip R. Chapman, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to one year in jail, after pleading to felony DWI. 

William J. Barber, 56, of Middle Grove, pleaded Feb. 7 to assault in the second-degree, in Milton. Sentencing April 4. 

Jeffrey M. Castro, 25, of Fort Edward, was sentenced Feb. 4 to 1 year in jail, after pleading to criminal possession of a weapon in the third-degree, in Moreau. 

William Hoffay, 44, of Averill Park, was sentenced Feb. 4 to serve 10.5 to 21 years in state prison, in connection with a series of burglaries that occurred in April and May 2018 in Saratoga County. 

POLICE 

Terresa M Constantine, age 39, Johnsonville, was charged on Feb. 8 with unauthorized use of a vehicle third/no consent- misdemeanor. 

Joe L Still, age 28, Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 7 with criminal contempt first degree- felony 

Danielle M Rau, age 30, Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 7 with criminal mischief fourth degree/intent damage property- misdemeanor. 

Keri A Cooper, age 29, Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 5 with aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- misdemeanor. 

Kyle C Hitchcock, age 27, Malta, was charged on Feb. 5 with attempted assault in the 3rd degree/intent physical injury- misdemeanor; criminal trespass third degree/building or property- misdemeanor.

Mona L Nordstrom, age 50, Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 4 with assault in the second degree/deadly weapon- felony; criminal possession of a weapon third degree- felony; endangering the welfare of a child- misdemeanor. At around 11:52 p.m. on Feb. 2, officers were called to the Adirondack Inn on West Avenue for a reported assault, according to police. Upon arrival officers discovered a 33-year-old male with a puncture wound to his left chest. Saratoga Springs Fire responded and transported the male to Saratoga Hospital. Investigation showed the victim (and an uninvolved female) had been with Nordstrom at Nordstrom’s motel room shortly before the call. A disagreement had taken place in the room between the victim and Nordstrom and Nordstrom went after the victim with a knife. Nordstrom allegedly inflicted the stab wound to the victim’s chest at that time. The male and the uninvolved female then exited the room and contacted authorities. Nordstrom was taken into custody at the motel shortly after officers arrived. The injuries were not life threatening. Nordstrom was arraigned and subsequently released on her own recognizance.   

Natalie C Rutigliano, age 35, Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 4 with offering a false instrument for filing first- felony; welfare fraud in the fifth degree- misdemeanor. 

Brian D Grogan, age 46, Greenfield Center, was charged on Feb. 3 with driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor; unsafe lane change; consumption of alcoholic beverages; fail to signal - turn, change lanes, parked; refuse pre-screen test. 

Sean P Kerls, age 40, Saratoga Springs, was charged on Feb. 2 with assault in the third degree/intent physical injury- misdemeanor. 

Shavar D Fields, age 27, Albany, was charged on Feb. 2 with unauthorized use of a vehicle third/no consent- misdemeanor. 

Dexter L Thaxton, age 31, Greenfield, was charged on Feb. 2 with driving while intoxicated- misdemeanor. Thaxton was arrested at 4:08 a.m. after being involved in a one-car property damage accident. 

Jonathan M Licata, age 47, Lake Luzerne, was charged on Feb. 2 with leaving the scene of an auto accident (property); unreasonable speed; driving while intoxicated- 2nd offense- felony; criminal mischief fourth degree/recklessly damages- misdemeanor. Licata was charged at 3:20 a.m. after being involved in a property damage accident. 

Frederick E Jenks, age 67, Greenfield Center, was charged on Feb. 1 with disorderly conduct; trespass; menacing third- misdemeanor.

Man Pleads Guilty to Wilton Homicide

BALLSTON SPA — A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court on Feb. 11 - admitting that he negligently discharged a firearm inside his Wilton motel room last October, which subsequently caused the death of Michael Kornacki. 

Daniel A. Salas Miranda pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and criminal possession of a weapon. Both charges are felonies. 

The incident occurred Oct. 7, 2018 at the Crest Inn - a motel on Route 9 owned by the family who also own Prestige Limousine – the company whose vehicle was involved in a crash last fall in Schoharie County where 20 people were killed. The two events are unrelated, according to police. 

Miranda admitted in court that he negligently discharged a firearm inside his motel room and that the bullet traveled through the wall of an adjoining room where it struck and killed Kornacki. Miranda also acknowledged that after negligently firing the pistol, he brought it to another room at the motel in an attempt to hide the weapon, according the district attorney’s office. 

Sentencing is scheduled for April 9, at which time it is anticipated Miranda will be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, followed by post-release supervision, according to the Saratoga County District Attorney’s office. 

Published in Police Blotter
Friday, 08 February 2019 09:56

Racing's Big Bet: 7-Week Season

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga racing season, which typically runs from late July until Labor Day weekend will be extended by an additional week this summer.   

The New York Racing Association has set this year’s opening day as Thursday, July 11 - eight days before its previously assumed opening date of July 19.

The extending of the summer meet by eight calendar days will not translate to additional races, however, maintaining its 40-Saratoga-racing-days status quo. Previously, races had been staged six days per week with Tuesdays being a no-race or “dark” day. The lengthier 2019 calendar season, should it be approved, will be compensated for by the addition of no-race Mondays - with the exception of Labor Day - resulting in five days of races per week. The meet will conclude on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2.

The ramifications for both year-round residents and summer visitors could be huge.

The earlier start in 2019 will overlap with a pair of perennially busy weekend dates by Dave Matthews Band at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on July 12-13, as well as the summer staging by the New York City Ballet at SPAC July 16-20.  Elizabeth Sobol, president & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, said having the track open a week earlier gives us the opportunity to cross-promote the New York City Ballet summer residency at SPAC.

City Finance Michele Madigan Commissioner says the summer racing season is among the largest drivers regarding sales tax for the local economy and that despite losing one racing day per week, the addition of a week could be a boost for the local economy.

"We will work with NYRA to ensure the safety of our horses and riders and to do all we can to protect the thousands of jobs in our backstretch community as we navigate this challenging time,” NYTHA President Joe Appelbaum said in a statement.  “NYTHA supports the interim solution NYRA has worked out for summer racing dates. While it presents certain complications, we all get to spend five extra days a year in Saratoga - which is always good for the soul."

 "The new schedule will bring both anticipated and unanticipated benefits to our summer racing season, and we will use the City's resources to make it even more successful than ever,” added city Mayor Meg Kelly.

The schedule change is related to the upcoming construction of a new hockey arena, which would shorten the length of the racing season at NYRA’s Belmont Park.

In December 2017, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the New York Islanders hockey team and their partnership group were selected as winning bidders of a state issued Request for Proposals aimed at strengthening Belmont Park as a world-class sports and entertainment destination. The goal is to construct an arena by the start of the 2021 hockey season. It is unclear whether that would subsequently translate to an additional extended Saratoga season in 2020 and/or 2021. 

The construction timeline indicates work on the new arena at Belmont Park could begin as early as the second quarter of 2019, leading to potential disruption during morning training and afternoon racing. The Belmont Park spring/summer meet will feature a revised 48-day calendar to commence on Friday, April 26 and run through Sunday, July 7.

The new year has brought an unsettling start to 2019 for the New York Racing Association. President and CEO Chris Kay resigned his position in January. According to published reports, Kay allegedly used employees to conduct work at his Saratoga Springs home, and last week it was announced a 25-year partnership between NYRA and Saratoga Race Course food services provider Centerplate will not be renewed. The end of the contract will leave hundreds of people at the Saratoga Race Course without jobs, according to the independent news and information platform Patch.com.  It is not known whether a yet-to-be-named new vendor to manage food and beverage concessions will hire those who were previously employed at the racecourse.  

Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, says the county’s tourism promotion agency will “pull out all the stops to bring as many people here as possible.  I think the hospitality sector likes the idea of an extra weekend and many of the folks in the horse racing industry like the idea of two (dark) days for a variety of reasons,” Shimkus said. “We’ve also heard from residents who are not necessarily thrilled with the idea of having their meet extended and their city taken over by visitors - but from an economic perspective this extra weekend helps us attract even more people who shop and dine and stay here; The hospitality sector is going to be able to grow.”   

Ariane Fuller is the owner/real estate broker at Racing City Realty – in its 17th year of serving the track rental needs for both homeowners and renters

“I do believe the extra days will be a boost for the community with more time to explore all that Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas have to offer. Overall, the consensus seems to be that homeowners are excited at the opportunity to rent an additional week.   We will make adjustments as needed. We will take this in stride - my goal is to work hard and make this transition a smooth process for both homeowners and renters.”

A decade ago, the length of the Saratoga season was extended from 36 race days to 40. The Spa staged its first organized thoroughbred racing meet in 1863, which took place over four days in August, as Saratoga began to earn its nickname as “the August place to be.” A century after its founding, the meet was extended to 24 days, then to 30 days by the 1990s.

The 2019 spring/summer racing calendar at Saratoga will be highlighted by the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8; the Grade 1 Whitney on Saturday, Aug. 3; and the 150th anniversary running of the Grade 1 Runhappy Travers on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Published in News
Wednesday, 06 February 2019 19:00

February 8 – February 14, 2019

COURT 

Tara M. Belak, 39, of Corinth, was sentenced Jan. 30 to five years of probation, after pleading to felony grand larceny, in Saratoga Springs. 

Tylor R. Green, 24, of Camden, Tennessee, was sentenced Jan. 30 to time served and five years of probation, after pleading to criminal possession of a firearm in Saratoga County, a felony. 

John R. Bellon, 25, of Porter Corners, was sentenced Jan. 30 to 2.5 years in state prison, after pleading to one felony county criminal possession and one felony count criminal sale of a controlled substance.    

Joshua L. Corbisiero, 41, of Wilton, pleaded Jan. 29 to felony assault. Sentencing scheduled April 1. 

Isaiah M. Robinson, 23, of Saratoga Springs was sentenced Jan. 29 to six months in jail and five years of probation, after pleading to felony burglary. 

POLICE 

Alexis V. Khemili, age 25, Clifton Park, was charged on Feb. 1 with unsafe lane change; aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- misdemeanor. 

Edward Jamie L. Volpe, age 53, Fort Edward, was charged on Jan. 31 with criminal trespass in the second degree- misdemeanor. 

Antonio V. Quesada, age 53, Saratoga Springs, and Richard M Settles, age 60, Saratoga Springs, were each charged Jan. 29 with one count criminal trespass in the third degree- misdemeanor. 

Andrew J. Rocco, age 25, Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 29 with growing cannabis by an unlicensed person; criminal possession of marijuana – felony; criminally using drug paraphernalia second-degree- misdemeanor; criminal contempt second-degree / disobedience- misdemeanor. 

Patrick E. Sullivan, age 33, Troy, was charged Jan. 29 with obscenity in the third degree- misdemeanor. 

John A. Vrana, age 57, Riverside, was charged Jan. 29 with issuing a bad check/knowing no funds- misdemeanor.

Dezmond A. Slade, 35, of Saratoga Springs, was charged Jan. 30 with Grand Larceny in the third-degree; criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second-degree; two counts falsifying business records in the first-degree.  Slade is employed as a Corrections Officer at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility and served as the President of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Officers Association (SCSOA) from May 2015 through December 2018.  The SCSOA is the Union that represents Corrections Officers, Jail Cooks, Communications Officers and Civil Employees. During Slade’s tenure as President of the SCSOA, he is accused of using the Union credit card to obtain cash and to pay for personal expenses in excess of $4,500.  Slade is also accused of making cash withdrawals from SCSOA accounts in excess of $11,000, for a total theft of more than $15,000, resulting in the Grand Larceny charge.  Slade is accused of providing a forged document during the investigation in an attempt to conceal his theft.  The charges for Falsifying Business Records are a result of false entries Slade allegedly made in the business records as well as omissions in the business records of the SCSOA, that were made or omitted in an attempt to conceal the theft. Slade was suspended without pay from his position at the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate other questionable financial transactions. 

Frank Bessette, 78, and Marian Bessette, 78, were both arrested following a domestic violence investigation in the Town of Malta, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. During the incident, Mr. Bessette struck his wife in the face causing injury to her left eye.  Mrs. Bessette used a knife to stab her husband, causing a minor wound to his chest.  During the incident, Mr. Bessette also grabbed and threw the phone as Mrs. Bessette attempted to contact authorities.  Mrs. Bessette was charges with Assault in the Second-Degree and Mr. Bessette was charged with Assault in the Third-Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth-Degree.

Published in Police Blotter

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Peter Martin announced today that he will not seek re-election for a new term starting in 2020.

“I would like to pursue opportunities outside of my role as Commissioner of Public Safety," said Martin, in a statement. "During this past year, I have treated the time and energy commitment of this position as a full time job. I believe that it would not be fair to the people of Saratoga Springs to treat it as anything less. Therefore, I have made the decision not to seek re-election as Commissioner of Public Safety for a new term commencing in January 2020.

“I will forever be grateful to the people of Saratoga Springs and to our Public Safety Department staff. I have enjoyed working with the dedicated and talented employees at city hall. I do not make this decision lightly. It comes after several weeks of difficult and personal reflection. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the City as your Commissioner of Public Safety," Martin said. 

“Over the past year, we have accomplished much – and there remains a great deal more yet to do. As I said, this job is a full time position, and I intend to remain a full time Commissioner for the rest of this year. I believe that working in cooperation with other members of the City Council, we can accomplish some great things over the remainder of this year." 

In November, elections will be held for all five City Council member seats, including mayor.  

Published in News
Page 29 of 66

Blotter

  • Saratoga County Court  Kathleen M. Callanan, 62, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 1 year in local jail, after pleading to felony grand larceny.  Cassandra R. Barden, 38, homeless, was sentenced to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration after pleading to felony attempted assault, charged in Milton.  Ashley Vetrano, 35, of Glens Falls, pleaded to felony robbery, charged in Moreau. Sentencing May 23.  Gabrielle Montanye, 63, of Stillwater, was sentenced to 5 years probation, after pleading to felony attempted identity theft, charged in Ballston Spa.  Daniel J. Koenig, III, 53, of Round Lake, was sentenced to 2 to 4 years incarceration, after…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 12 Aspen Dr to Shaun Scott for $596,673 Sunmark Credit Union sold property at 15 17 & 19 Main St to Landmark Holdings 2023 LLC for $240,000 CORINTH Gary ONeil sold property at 115 Hollister Dr to Aaron Schips for $345,000 GREENFIELD Jeffrey Fuller sold property at 4 Lanie Dr to Jacob Brooks for $221,700 Bernice Moeller sold property at 395 North Creek Rd to Devin Vernon for $270,000 MALTA  Maureen Weise sold property at 13 Pepperbush Pl to Robert ONeill for $245,000 MECHANICVILLE Robert Murphy sold property at 406 Park Ave to…
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