Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 766

Thursday, 10 December 2015 10:37

Saratoga Places Second in Kauth Tourney

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The fifteenth annual Don Kauth Memorial Tournament took place in a round-robin format on Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5 at Clifton Park Arena and Weibel Avenue rink – honoring Kauth, a Saratoga Springs resident who tragically lost his life on 9/11 while working at the World Trade Center. Don was 51 years old and was an avid supporter of Saratoga Springs Youth Hockey. Participating were Saratoga Springs and Shenendehowa, as well as Mamaroneck and St. Joe’s Collegiate Prep from Buffalo. 

 

Saratoga rebounded from a Friday night 5-3 loss to eventual tournament winner Mamaroneck, with a strong 4-2 victory over St. Joe’s on Saturday afternoon, which clinched second place in the tournament for the Blue Streaks. In Saturday’s contest, Saratoga goalkeeper Tom Fornabia recorded 28 saves, and Blue Streak goals were recorded by Josh Dagle, Brendan Coffey, Jake Fauler and Ryan Robens. Coffey was named outstanding Defenseman for the Tournament. 

 

Thursday, 10 December 2015 10:30

An Uplifting Experience!

West Mountain Opens New Triple Lift

QUEENSBURY – You may or may not be ready for snow, but these people certainly are! 

 

On Friday, December 4, members of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, along with friends and promotional partners, officially opened a state-of-the-art triple chair lift. To celebrate the opening of the “West Express”, West Mountain did what it does best – throw a party!  

 

And what a party it was – inside and outside! Guests were treated to a roaring bonfire and complimentary s’mores and fireworks, while inside at the East Slope Bar and Eatery, they were treated to the sounds of the Silver Arrow Band, silent auction items (including a full privilege season pass), along with food and drink. 

A festive and uplifting experience for all!

 

Opening day is December 12, weather permitting. Stay up to date on West Mountain’s happenings at www.westmtn.net

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown has been selected by public vote as this year’s book of choice for Saratoga Reads, a community-wide reading program.

 

The Boys in the Boat reached the number 1 slot on the New York Times best-seller list for nonfiction paperbacks in 2014. The book’s subtitle, “Nine Americans and their epic quest for gold at the 1936 Olympics,” gives an instant overview, but the real story lies in the personal struggles and travails behind the scenes. 

 

Set during the Great Depression, the book tells the improbable story of how nine working-class young men from the American West competed for the Gold Medal in rowing at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. With rowers who were the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coat and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by challenging the German boat rowing for Adolf Hitler.

 

At the core of the story is Joe Rantz, a teenager abandoned by his family, who manages to defy the odds. Through sheer perseverance, he finishes high school, attends the University of Washington in Seattle, and makes it through the fierce competition to the university’s top rowing team. 

 

“The individual stories of these young men are almost as compelling as the rise of the team itself. Brown excels at weaving the stories with the larger narrative, all culminating in the 1936 Olympic Games,” said the Seattle Times. “The narrative rises inexorably, with the final 50 pages blurring by with white-knuckled suspense as these all-American underdogs pull off the unimaginable.”

 

An adaptation of The Boys in the Boat for young readers will serve as this year’s junior companion book. Saratoga Reads invites young readers to participate in discussions on the book Feb. 4 and 11 at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, 6:30–8 p.m. To sign up, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

“I'm really inspired by this year's winning book. The Boys in the Boat speaks to men and women, youth and adults, athletes and non-athletes,” said Tabitha Orthwein, chair of the Saratoga Reads board. “It's at once a captivating story and history lesson providing insights about life in the Depression, Nazi Germany, and the galvanizing power of sport.”

 

Added Orthwein, “This book provides us with a lens to look at the fascinating history of rowing in the Saratoga Springs area and the strong presence of rowing in our community today. “

 

Lineup of events includes Dec. 9 kickoff

From December through April, Saratoga Reads will offer a range of events centered on The Boys in the Boat. All the programs are open to the public free of charge. For a full calendar of events visit www.SaratogaReads.org.

 

The events will kickoff with the formal announcement of the book selection and a celebration of the 12th year Saratoga Reads on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs, starting at 7 p.m. The evening will feature door prizes, a 10 percent discount on Saratoga Reads books, and refreshments generously provided by Healthy Living Market. 

 

Capstone event to feature Olympic rower

 

The year’s programming will wrap up on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, with a capstone event featuring Ginny Gilder, an Olympic silver medal rower and author of Course Correction: A Story of Rowing and Resilience in the Wake of Title IX. The conversation with Gilder will be moderated by Skidmore Professor Jeffrey Segrave, a noted expert on the Olympic Games. The event will take place at 7 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall, on the Skidmore College campus.

Thursday, 03 December 2015 10:11

Investigation Into Missing Councilman Continues

Sheriffs Seek Information About Fred “Fritzie” Drumm

SARATOGA – The whereabouts of Fred “Fritzie” Drumm, 68, of Burgoyne Road in the Town of Saratoga, are still undetermined according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Drumm, who is a Councilman for the Town of Saratoga, was reported missing by his family on Wednesday, November 25. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to actively investigate leads in the case. 

 

According to the Sheriff Department’s Lieutenant Jeffrey Brown, a search of the ground and waterways surrounding the area that Drumm was last seen began immediately after the family reported his disappearance. A total of more than 200 people have participated in the search for Drumm. In addition to the Sheriffs, other agencies involved in the search included Saratoga County fire agencies, the New York State Federation of Search and Rescue Teams, members of the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office and New York State DEC Forest Rangers.An area of about 1200 acres was searched, including portions of the Hudson River by the Sheriff’s Marine Unit. 

The ground search concluded last Saturday, although Lt. Brown emphasized that the investigation is still classified as active, and the Sheriff’s Office is still continuing to focus on all leads and possible avenues that they receive regarding Drumm’s disappearance. They are continuing to request the assistance of the public (see below for contact information). 

The decision to suspend a ground search is determined by a variety of factors, Lt. Brown noted. It is made on a case-by-case basis by the Sheriff’s Office, and in this case was done with consultation with the Forest Rangers. Lt. Brown noted that some possible factors that are taken into account when determining the size and length of an ground search include the topography of the area of disappearance, the general health and age of the missing person, time of year and weather conditions. 

 

Anyone with knowledge or information regarding the possible whereabouts of Mr. Drumm are requested to contact the Sheriff's Office at 518-885- 6761.

 

Thursday, 03 December 2015 10:01

Saratoga Cross County Continues To Streak!

Team Members Heading to Oregon for Nike Nationals this Weekend

WAPPINGERS FALLS – The Saratoga Springs High School Girls and Boys Cross Country Squads accumulated more accolades at the 2015 New York State Federation Cross Country Championship at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls on Saturday, November 21: 

 

- Aidan Tooker placed first in the Boys 5K. Tooker finished his event in front in 15 minutes 42.8 seconds. 

 

- The Blue Streaks Girls’ team won the overall team title, placing in front of Rockland and Monroe Woodbury. The team’stimes were:

Blue Streak Freshman Kelsey Chmiel finished in 18:06.1,

Freshman Paris Fenoff - 18:46.8,

Sophomore Peyton Engborg - 18:55.5,

Freshman Alexandra Delnicki - 19:30.8,

Freshman Ciara Knott - 19:37.8,

Sophomore Caroline Starace - 19:44.1, 

Junior Amelia Mahoney - 19:55.

 

 

On Saturday, November 28, both Tooker and members of the Girls’ team, running for theKinetic Running Club (which is coached by SSHS cross-country coaches Art and Linda Kranick) qualified in the New York regional division of the Nike Cross Nationals (Nike NXN) – setting them all up for the National Championship meet on Saturday, December 5 at the 12th Annual Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. At that event, individual and team champions from eight regions will meet in one race for all the marbles over the tree-lined terrain at Portland’s Glendoveer Golf Course.

Thursday, 03 December 2015 09:55

Hail to Our (Eastern) NY State Champs!

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Before we exit football for 2015, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the tremendous seasons both Saratoga Springs (Class AA) and Schuylerville (Class B) had this year. 

 

Both the Blue Streaks and Black Horses reached the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, for their respective Class’ state title game - and for the first time ever, this past weekend. While the outcomes of those games were not what most fans were hoping for, to be a runner-up in a state title game should not diminish all the great play and highlights each team accumulated throughout the year. 

 

As a first-year sports editor, these teams made my life difficult – trying to pick the one or two spotlight photos out of the many that came in from Mark and Francesco after each game. I assure you it was a labor of love, however, and made for a season I certainly will always remember fondly.  

 

 

Saratoga and Schuylerville took the gridiron each week and played with distinction and dignity, sportsmanship and skill. I don’t claim to speak for everyone, but I know that there are many fans of both teams who wish to salute the players and coaches for a job well done – you are champions, gentlemen!

Tuesday, 24 November 2015 12:24

Heading to States: Black Horses Stampede!

Schuylerville Shuts Out Westlake 35-0 In Semis

KINGSTON – Short course: Total supremacy – on both sides of the ball.

 

Schuylerville unleashed their diversified and dominating rushing attack, gaining over 400 yards on the ground, and completely dismantled their State Semifinal opponent, Westlake, en route to an impressive 35-0 shutout at Kingston’s Dietz Stadium on Saturday, November 21. They will make their first appearance in the State Class B Final game next Sunday, November 29, at noon, in Syracuse’s Carrier Dome. 

 

The Black Horses, now 12-0, won as they have all season, by near-flawless execution of their ‘flex-bone’ offense. Their sometimes-overlooked defense was just as impressive in registering its fourth shutout of the season. The defense limited Westlake to just 158 total yards (with the bulk coming after the game was out of reach) and caused five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries). 

 

Coming in to the contest, Westlake’s defense had not allowed a touchdown in four games. Schuylerville made short work of that record with a 15 play / 71 yard scoring drive, lasting over six minutes, to begin the game. QB Will Griffen was stopped short of the goal line, but had the presence of mind to pitch the ball back to Zach Pierce, who ran it easily from the 1-yard line for a 7-0 lead.

 

Midway through the first quarter, and Schuylerville had all the points it would need. But they were hardly finished. 

 

Senior Skyler Bateman capped another long drive (12 plays / 81 yards) with a 3-yard TD run to put Schuylerville up 14-0 with :58 left in a near-flawless first half, in which the Black Horses converted all three fourth-down plays they needed to keep drives alive.

 

The third quarter was perhaps even more impressive, as Schuylerville put together a lightning-fast sequence that doubled their margin in a mere 1 minute, 27 seconds and exemplified their dominance on this day. 

 

With 2:12 left in the quarter, Griffen kept for a 37-yard TD run. On the following kickoff, Benjamin Phillips forced a fumble, which was recovered by Brandon Weed. Shortly thereafter, Derek Willson rumbled for 36 yards and a TD that put the Black Horses up 28-0 with :45 left. In the process, Schuylerville accumulated the most yards that Westlake surrendered to anyone this season – and there was still over a quarter to go.

 

At 9:51 to go in the fourth quarter, Schuylerville’s offensive line delivered its final exclamation point in the contest – opening a hole wide enough in the middle of the field to drive the team’s bus through, as Bateman romped easily for 79 yards and his second TD to make it 35-0. Backup QB Mitchell Burroughs took over the offense with about 7:30 left, but the Black Horses’ defense still had their own exclamation point to deliver when Willson hauled in their third interception of the afternoon. 

 

Schuylerville came into the contest ranked #4 in the State, and faces another supreme test in the final next Sunday, when it will meet #1 Cazenovia. Given the character it has demonstrated throughout their undefeated season, they probably wouldn’t want it any other way.

Win Over New Rochelle 32-29 Decided In Last Minute

KINGSTON – If you want to show someone why Americans love football so much, you need only show them the footage from this game. 

 

This wild one had everything: dramatic offensive running and passing scoring plays, lead changes, defensive scores and red zone stands, and ultimately, a well-timed whistle to wipe out an apparent game-tying field goal and secure victory in the last minute.

 

Bottom line: The Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks will be heading to the Carrier Dome for their first Class AA title game next Sunday, November 29, at 3 p.m., by virtue of a 32-29 victory that gave a whole new meaning to the expression ‘nail-biter’, over Section I powerhouse New Rochelle. The 2015 Blue Streaks are also the first Saratoga team to go 11-0, and secured their first-ever State Playoff victory. In doing so, they also avenged their 2009 semifinal loss to New Rochelle. They will face Aquinas of Rochester in the title game. 

 

The first quarter was a frenetic scoring slugfest, with 33 points registered by the two teams – on both offense and defense. DB Keelan Thomas got New Rochelle on the board first, with a 42-yard pick-six to put the Huguenots up 7-0 with 8:33 to go. But just 19 seconds later, as they had done following an initial score by Shaker in the Section II Class AA championship two weeks ago, Saratoga had the answer: Dakota Harvey. 

 

Harvey accelerated away from the entire New Rochelle defense for a 76-yard rushing TD. A missed extra point made the score 7-6, New Rochelle, who answered with some fireworks of their own: A 62-yard TD pass from QB Greg Powell to WR Dwayne White-Edney, just over the outstretched fingers of Saratoga DB Ryan Manlapaz extended New Rochelle’s lead to 14-6. 

 

Saratoga had the answer again – this time on both offense and defense. QB Brian Williams found WR Nick Kondo alone in the end zone for a 30-yard scoring pass with 1:53 to go and cut New Rochelle’s lead to 14-13. 

 

The Blue Streaks took their first lead with 10 seconds left in the quarter, when Harvey, playing linebacker on defense, forced the ball from Powell’s hands. It squirted free, into the waiting arms of LB Eric Stone, who returned the interception 43 yards to put Saratoga up 19-14. Saratoga’s two missed extra points would later prove to set up some end-of-game dramatics, but there was still plenty of football (and highlights) to come before that point – again, this was just the end of the first quarter!

 

In the second quarter, Harvey extended the Blue Streaks’ lead to off his second touchdown, an 11-yard run that increased the margin to 11, 25-14, when Saratoga missed on a two-point conversion attempt with 3:41 to go in the half. New Rochelle’s Thomas, at RB, answered with a 15-yard run of his own with 1:53 left. The Huguenots successfully went for a two-point conversion, cutting Saratoga’s margin to three points, 25-22 at the half. 

 

The third quarter was characterized by New Rochelle driving deep into the Saratoga red zone three times (extending into the fourth quarter), only to be frustrated by the Blue Streak defense each time and holding on to their slim three-point lead. This, however, meant that Saratoga’s offense had to operate in the shadow of its own goal posts. They were unable to get anything started from there, and on the third possession following a stop, Saratoga fumbled the ball out of a wildcat formation to New Rochelle on its own 1-yard line. This was too much for the defense to stop and New Rochelle broke through on a 1-yard run by Jared Baron to regain the lead, 29-25 with 7:39 remaining. 

 

Saratoga showed it was not done, however. Getting decent field position for the first time in the second half, Williams (who had gone down briefly with an injury earlier in the quarter on defense during Saratoga’s third stop) scrambled and threw a 52-yard bomb, which seemed to hang in the air forever, to Ryan Manalpaz, who went out at New Rochelle’s 3-yard line. Two plays later, Williams found Robert Haughton with a 6-yard TD pass, as the Blue Streaks regained the lead, 32-29 with 5:24 left. 

 

Once again, New Rochelle came out driving. Eventually, following some key plays by Saratoga’s Brandon Hipsley, they were stopped in the red zone again at Saratoga’s 10-yard line, setting up a potential 27-yard tying field goal with 43 seconds left. The kick went through the uprights – but Saratoga’s Coach Terry Jones had used a well-timed timeout to negate the kick. New Rochelle’s second attempt sailed wide to the right, and Saratoga ran out the clock to punch its ticket to Syracuse next week.  

 

Saratoga won in characteristic fashion – a balanced attack (168 yards rushing and 215 passing) and several big-play contributors on both sides of the ball. With the victory, the key number for their fans is now eight: The number of days until the biggest game in Blue Streak history, and they number of days they have to grow their nails back. 

Tuesday, 24 November 2015 12:09

EOC: Now More Than Ever

Holiday Appeal Begins December 1

BALLSTON SPA – “We are committed to help people overcome barriers.”

 

So stated Former Saratoga Springs Mayor A.C. Riley, a Past President, current Board Member and Chair of the Community Liaison Committee of the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC), an agency that provides a variety of programs and services – all designed to enable individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency. 

 

EOC clients are not just the hardcore unemployed or impoverished. Even in a relatively affluent county like Saratoga, their programs offer a crucial lifeline to a wider section of the community that struggles with financial uncertainty and distress every day.

 

There are many ways that people can support the diverse programs EOC provides. EOC will be launching its annual Holiday Appeal beginning December 1, and they will be accepting cash and food donations at the Canadian Pacific holiday train when it arrives at the Saratoga Springs Train Station this Saturday, November 28 at 7:20 p.m. “Last year, through the generosity of the public (at the Holiday Train) we received 1,100 pounds of food, $200 in on-site donations with a $4,000 check to support our food programs,” said EOC Executive Director Anita Paley. “It was four times better attended than the previous year.”  

 

A tour of EOC’s facility, at 39 Bath Street in Ballston Spa, brought many surprises. Riley and Paley described and demonstrated a wide array of services and programs available through EOC, delivered in a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere, all designed to help people help themselves. “We are not paternalistic, it’s about developing goals and giving people the means to achieve them,” Riley noted. 

 

EOC’s programs run the gamut from affordable housing and energy assistance and weatherization programs; to food pantry and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition programs; Head Start, career preparation and language education courses; from soup kitchen lunches to tax preparation and family development services. These and other programs are delivered in an atmosphere of hope, collegial goal development and empowerment. 

 

“We are constantly conducting needs assessments of the community,” Anita Paley noted, “and we raise funds and develop programs based on those assessments. The bottom line is that people want to work. We provide support systems, and programs to give people the means to do so.” 

 

While the variety of programs can be characterized as a pleasant surprise, a sobering fact is that the population that needs EOC’s programs is broader than people might generally believe. “It is much more than the unemployed,” Riley stated. “Many of our clients have two working adults in the household.” 

 

To that end, not all of EOC’s programs are income-based. The food pantry as labeled “barrier free” – making it responsive to a need that might be greater than generally believed. “People who don’t meet ‘income standards’ can still be hungry,” Riley said. The food pantry accepts donations year-round from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. The emphasis is on items that contribute to a balanced diet: Anita Paley noted the generosity of local farms and groceries that made available items such as grass-fed beef and other items rarely available in food pantries. As much as they receive, it often barely covers the demand.

 

“We do get the most donations of food around this time of the year, but it gets depleted quickly,” Paley said. In addition to food, EOC accepts donations of clothing (clean coats, hats, scarves, mittens and socks are most needed now) and even pet food donations are welcome.

 

In addition to providing needed funds for their core services, part of EOC’s mission has a goal to provide appropriate referrals to other agencies/organizations where relevant, as well as advocacy at the county/city level. 

 

EOC’s Holiday Appeal is one of their major fundraising efforts. Your contributions help to fill large gaps in areas of the “safety net” that would otherwise be unmet. It is important to recognize what your donations help fund, and what they do not.

 

For this is not a government handout. It is not welfare. It is all about providing people with the means to help themselves and break the constricting cycle of poverty. 

 

At holiday time, as we gather with loved ones and count our blessings, consider all the ways that the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council is making a difference in our neighbors’ lives. At the heart of their name is their concise message: Opportunity. This is a perfect time of year to consider giving a leg up to those in our community who want to walk on their own.

 

To learn more about EOC’s services, donation and volunteer opportunities, visit saratogaeoc.org/opportunities-with-eoc/donate/

 

KINGSTON – Saratoga Springs will take the field at Dietz Stadium in Kingston this Saturday evening, November 21, in a Class AA semifinal matchup against Section I champion New Rochelle. At stake is a berth in the State finals at Syracuse’s Carrier Dome.

 

New Rochelle reached the semis by virtue of a narrow victory, 21-20, over Section IX champion Newburgh Free Academy. Section II champ Saratoga had a week off to rest up for this matchup, as Section II received a bye in this year’s tournament. 

 

Page 12 of 39

Blotter

  • New York State Police The New York State Police announced that it issued 5,576 tickets during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement initiative. The campaign began on Friday, March 15, and continued until Sunday, March 17. During the campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors detail. State Police also ticketed distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. State Troopers arrested 132 people for DWI and investigated 199 crashes, which resulted in 25 people being injured and no fatalities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON Heather DiCaprio sold property at 473 Garrett Rd to Justine Levine for $288,000 Sharon Willman sold property at 99 Jenkins Rd to Charles Lemley for $165,000 CORINTH George Montena sold property at 422 Oak St to Stephen James for $142,250 Mark Makler sold property at 313 Oak St to Sabrina Sinagra for $195,000 GREENFIELD Landlord Services of Upstate New York sold property at 1935 NYS Rt 9N to Cochise Properties LLC for $210,000 MALTA  Linda LaBarge sold property at 35 Snowberry Rd to Qu Haozheng for $270,000 Dennis Mitchell sold property at 60 Village Circle North to BGRS Relocation…
  • NYPA
  • Saratoga County Chamber
  • BBB Accredited Business
  • Discover Saratoga
  • Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association