Displaying items by tag: saratoga

COURTS 

Patrick J. Toomey, 40, of South Glens Falls, was sentenced on June 22 to five days in jail and five years of probation, after pleading to felony DWI regarding an incident that occurred in Moreau. 

Frank C, Evans, 29, of Mechanicville, pleaded on June 22 to felony aggravated DWI, in connection with an incident that occurred in Malta. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 5. 

Zarak O. Ali, 44, of Albany, was sentenced on June 21 to 1 to 3 years in state prison, after pleading to offering a false instrument for filing in the first-degree, in connection with an incident that occurred in Ballston Spa. 

Barbara D. Delong, 35, of South Glens Falls, was sentenced on June 21 to pay a fine and restitution, after pleading to felony insurance fraud in connection with an incident that occurred in Moreau. 

Jackie R, Coffey, 29, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced on June `19 to six months in jail, after pleading to second degree vehicular assault, in connection with an incident that occurred in Saratoga Springs in July 2016. 

Jody C. Hanes, 36, of Malta, was sentenced on June 19 to 20 years in state prison, after being found guilty to the charges of first degree burglary, and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with an incident that occurred in Malta. 

POLICE 

Sean A. Bennett, 33, of Albany, was charged on June 16 with second degree burglary, menacing, and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Bennett is accused of unlawfully entering a residence in the town of Milton and menacing another person with a large wooden object.   Four children were also present in the residence during the incident.  This was a domestic incident and there were no injuries involved, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.   Bennett was sent to Saratoga County Jail without bail and will answer the respective charges in the Milton Town Court at a later date.   

Shane A. Gregory, 29, of Victory Mills, was charged on June 17 with felony criminal contempt and harassment, a violation.  Gregory is accused of headbutting, pushing, and tripping a female known to him in violation of an order of protection.  He was arraigned in the Milton Town Court and released on his own recognizance.  He is scheduled to appear in the Milton Town Court at a later date.

Joshua Y Delvalle-Hernandez, age 19, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 20 with misdemeanor criminal mischief. 

Brian W. Martin, age 32, Clifton Park, was charged on June 20 with two misdemeanor counts petit larceny.

Margaret K. Knight, age 35, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 20 with petit larceny, and welfare fraud – both misdemeanors. 

Michael A. Gartman, age 22, Rowesville, South Carolina, was charged on June 20 with three misdemeanor counts criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Nickolaus K. Davis, age 19, Orangeburg, South Carolina, was charged on June 20 with two misdemeanor counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, the felonies: criminal possession of a forged instrument and criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawful possession of marijuana. 

William P. Childers, age 34, Glens Falls, was charged on June 20 with speeding, aggravated unlicensed operation misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Joseph R. Bozony, age 22, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 19 with failure to stop at a stop sign, and aggravated unlicensed operation third degree- a misdemeanor. 

James M. Caron-Williams, age 22, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 19 with two felony counts criminal possession stolen property.

Jason M. McMahon, age 40, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 18 with criminal trespass misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana. 

Vasco D. Hale, age 41, South Glens Falls, was charged on June 18 with aggravated unlicensed operation misdemeanor, and failed to signal a turn.

Owen G. Phinney, age 23, Gansevoort, was charged on June 18 with misdemeanor DWI, resisting arrest- a misdemeanor, and the felonies: aggravated unlicensed operation and assault in the second-degree.

Marquan T. Threatt, age 26, Albany, was charged on June 18 with registration plate display violation and misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation. 

Anthony J. Diorio, age 20, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 18 with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation – a misdemeanor.

Jennifer J. Slachtovsky, age 33, Amsterdam, was charged on June 17 with misdemeanor DWI, felony aggravated DWI – due to a 15-year-old being in the vehicle, misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration, and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.

Jessica S. Devanney, age 28, Broadalbin, was charged on June 17 with misdemeanor DWI, and a driving violation. 

Nicholas C. Goulet, age 19, Ballston Spa, was charged on June 17 with misdemeanor DWI, and two driving violations. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The New York Racing Association, Inc. will continue its tradition of giveaways with four giveaway days scheduled for the summer 2017 meet at Saratoga Race Course. All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. The 2017 Saratoga Race Course premium giveaway schedule is as follows:

SARATOGA BASEBALL CAP: Sunday, July 23
The first giveaway of the 2017 season will pay tribute to the theme of opening weekend - Hats! Racing fans gather to receive a red and white Saratoga baseball cap, presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel. In addition to the Saratoga hat giveaway, the day's festivities will include the 26th annual Hat Contest, presented by Hat Sationa! By DEI.

SARATOGA SHORT-SLEEVE T-SHIRT: Monday, August 7
Racing fans will take home the second giveaway of the 2017 meet, a gray short-sleeve t-shirt featuring a red Saratoga Race Course logo. The giveaway corresponds with the weekly Berkshire Bank Family Mondays series, which features free children's activities and entertainment at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion.

SARATOGA COOLER BAG: Monday, August 21
The season's penultimate premium giveaway - a red and black Saratoga cooler bag - will kick off the countdown to the $1.25 million Travers, which will be run for the 148th time on Saturday, August 26.

SARATOGA CLOCK: Sunday, September 3
Fans will celebrate closing weekend of the 2017 Saratoga meet with the final giveaway of the 2017 season - a Saratoga wall clock, presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino. The clock features an image of thoroughbreds racing down the stretch against the iconic Saratoga grandstand and clubhouse roofline.

Guests will be able to redeem up to three vouchers at Saratoga Race Course's giveaway redemption areas, including the one they receive with paid admission and the two additional vouchers they are able to purchase at the multiple admissions line beneath the grandstand.

WILTON – Soccer teams from across the Northeast came together at Gavin Park in Wilton and at the Saratoga Youth Lacrosse Association fields on the PBA Range property this past weekend to put on a show for around 160 college coaches at the 15th Annual Mad Dog Mania Showcase Tournament. The aim of the tournament was to provide high school soccer teams a venue at which to demonstrate their talents in the hopes of being recruited for a college team. At this year’s tournament, 131 teams from eight states competed, and while the number of individual players was not counted, tournament director Nancy Stangle estimated that there must have been over 1,800 players.

The event drew in teams from all around the Northeast, including 15 local teams and some from as far as Maine. According to Stangle, most of the teams at the event were from schools in the 3-4-hours-away range. Coaches in attendance came from all across New York State and beyond. Stangle said that most every local college was represented, including Skidmore, Union College, Siena, the College of Saint Rose, and SUNY Albany, and according the Mad Dog organization’s official website, coaches from Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania made it to the event.

While the organization has never tracked the rate at which players from its tournaments successfully get recruited, Stangle cited anecdotal evidence from friends and families of players over the years to say that a good number of them are successful thanks to the tournament. A press release from Mad Dog Mania also cited an unnamed college coach in attendance at this year’s event as saying that they had targeted around 30 players as worthy of further consideration.

In that same press release, Mad Dog Mania also touted the economic benefits of their annual tournament. According to them, approximately 4,500 individuals journey to the tournament each year, resulting in around 1,000 hotel rooms being booked, with many participants partaking in local shops and restaurants.
“Numerous participants and spectators have said that they plan to return to this area for personal visits,” the release from Mad Dog Mania stated. “After attending the soccer tournament and seeing all that the region offers.”

All photos by www.photoandgraphic.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Regional YMCA concluded the first phase of its outdoor development program by bringing adventure to our very own backyard.

Tucked into the woods on the south end of the Saratoga Regional YMCA (SRYMCA) on West Avenue is the brand new Adventure Course, which had its grand opening on June 22. The 4,340-square-foot course consists of a multiple rock-climbing walls, rope bridges, and tire bridges suspended at varying levels above the ground. Affixed to the top of the main rock wall tower structure is a zip-line, which brave participants can use to ride down to the bottom. When press and other attendees arrived for the grand opening of the course, SRYMCA Board President Alysa Arnold addressed the crowd from the top of the course before riding the zip-line down.

“Today, I am so excited that we are at the point where we have an amazing team that is well-trained, and this summer, kids and adults in our area are going to be able to experience this wonderful adventure course,” Arnold said from the top of the structure. “We have 300-plus campers this summer, and they are gonna have a lot of fun and learn a lot of life skills right on this course.”

Arnold went on to emphasize that the course was far more than just a way for kids and families to have healthy fun, but that it will also give them the opportunity to safely challenge themselves by going outside their comfort zones. Then, using herself as an example of this due to her fear of heights, she ended her speech and rode the zip-line down to a round of applause.

“This is one of those resources that helps us make sure that Saratoga is the healthiest county in all of New York State,” Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus said, introducing the course to the gathered crowd. “As well as, hopefully, the world, someday.”

The Adventure Course is just one part of the first phase of SRYMCA outdoor development initiative. Other aspects of the first phase have included an enclosed pavilion for rainy days and a traverse wall on the north side of the West Avenue location. Planning for the course began approximately three years ago, with construction taking about a year to complete, beginning with the procurement of building permits. The actual time that it took to physically construct the course was around three months. The costs for constructing the course were covered through community fundraising, according to Chief Operations Officer Kelly Armer.

“The best way children learn is through play,” Armer said. “And this is a great structure to add [for that].”

The next phase of development for SRYMCA will begin soon, with plans to build a new pool and another gym, as according to Armer, they are quickly outgrowing their current space. There is currently no set timeline for this second phase.

All photos by Thomas Kika.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS – One local scholar is on his way to a bright future in the field of medicine.

Matias Kivi, a sophomore at Saratoga Springs High, has been chosen to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Lowell, Mass., from June 25-27 as a delegate from New York State. According to Kivi, only a handful of young people are selected to attend from each state. While there are a number of other delegates from N.Y., Kivi is the only one from the Saratoga County area. Dr. Robert Darling, the Medical Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, nominated Kivi for the Congress, based on his “academic achievements, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine,” according to a press release from the Academy.

The aim of the congress is to motivate and direct honors-level high school students across the country that are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Kivi’s ultimate goal is to become a cardiac surgeon, which he said is inspired by his grandmother’s recent bought with heart problems, as well as a general respect for the bravery of surgeons.

“I’m pretty excited,” Kivi said. “It’ll be a long drive down there, but I’m excited to see what’s really going to be there and all the people I’m going to meet. I’m interested to see who else is going to be there who is about my age and what they do as well.”

At the Congress, Kivi will meet with other young aspiring medical practitioners from across the country and have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders. There will be talks given by Nobel Laureates and winners of the National Medal of Science. Deans from Ivy League and other top institutions will be on hand to advise the young delegates on what to expect from medical schools. Patients said to be “living medical miracles” will be present to share their stories. There will also be opportunities for the delegates to learn about the latest advances in the fields of medicine and medical technology.

Some of the major medical leaders attending the congress include Dr. Pardis Sabeti, who used real-time DNA sequencing during the most recent outbreak of Ebola to prove that the disease spreads through humans and not animals, and Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, the first surgeon to perform a full face transplant in the United States. The delegates will also hear from Carmen Tarleton, the fifth recipient of a full face transplant in the U.S. Kivi and his fellow delegates will also have the opportunity to watch a live surgery streamed to the congress from a nearby hospital.

Kivi learned that he had been nominated for the congress by Darling last summer. As becoming a delegate for the congress was not something he sought out, it came as a pleasant surprise. Kivi noted his high mark on the Biology S.A.T., which he took last year, and his consistently high marks in high-level A.P. courses as factors beyond his interest in pursuing a medical career that might have caught Darling’s eye. Kivi is also a part of Saratoga Hospital’s “Students Sharing Opportunities and Responsibilities” (SSOAR) volunteer summer program for high school students.

Kivi has already visited and number of colleges, including Georgetown and Utah University, and will be visiting Northwestern sometime over the summer.

“I’m really proud of him doing this,” Di Kivi, Matias’s mother, said. “Because he’s worked very hard, he’s very good student, and he keeps a good balance in his life, and he deserves this. It’s well-earned.”

Photo by Thomas Kika. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Springs Little League celebrated a season of competition on June 17 with the first-ever Adirondack Cup. Held at West Side Rec, the day-long event kicked off at 9 a.m., pitting the top-seeded teams from both the major and minor divisions of the league against their counterparts from Glens Falls Little League (GFLL). A total of 18 match-ups played out, culminating with the No. 1 seeded major and minor teams from each league facing off, which led to victories for Saratoga Springs Little League in each case.

Majors champions PBA bested their GFLL opponents, Warren Tire, with a strong 16-1. PBA was dominant from the outset, scoring six runs on Warren Tire in the first inning. Minors champions Julie and Co. bested GFLL’s Hudson River Community Credit Union, rallying back against their opponents’ early 3-point lead. Prior to the event, each team had claimed the Saratoga Little League titles in championship bouts on Thursday (Julie and Co. vs. HT Lyons) and Friday (PBA vs. Byrne Orthodontics).

Beyond the numerous match-ups, Saratoga Springs Little League went above and beyond to make the gathering feel like a proper celebration for all the young athletes in attendance. Special announcers were brought in for the games, and music was played between innings. A bounce house was also set up for the enjoyment of the children in attendance.

“This was a celebration of both leagues in their entirety,” league vice president David S. Karpinski said. “We always love to conclude our seasons with a sort of playoff type event.”

Moving on from this season, 36 out of the around 300 players from the normal leagues have been chosen to compete on the All-Stars team. Practice for this higher-level team began on June 20, and the first game will take place June 26 against Mechanicville/Stillwater.

All photos by www.photoandgraphic.com. 

COURTS

Milo E, Martinez, 26, of Ballston Spa, pleaded on June 14 to criminal possession of a forged instrument, a felony, in connection with an incident that occurred in Clifton Park. Sentencing scheduled for Aug. 14. 

William E. Slater, 46, of Gansevoort, was sentenced on June 14 to 20 years in state prison, after pleading to criminal sexual act in the first-degree, in connection with an incident that occurred in Wilton. 

Michael J. Germain, 56, of Greenfield, pleaded on June 9 to felony criminal mischief, and DWAI. Sentencing scheduled for Sept. 8. 

April M. Pixley, 37, of Greenfield, pleaded on June 9 to second degree forgery, in connection with an incident that occurred in Wilton. Sentencing scheduled for Aug. 4. 

Thomas J. Davin III, 34, of Schuylerville, was sentenced on June 9 to time served and five years of probation, after pleading to aggravated DWI with a child. 

POLICE

Moises B. Rodriguez, age 39, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 16 with aggravated unlicensed operation, no/expired insurance, and operating motor vehicle with improper plates – all misdemeanors, and a variety of vehicle related violations. 

Marc J. Brynczka, age 42, Ballston Spa, was charged on June 16 with misdemeanor DWI, and misdemeanor aggravated DWI.

Darrick D. Conners, age 43, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 15 with misdemeanor criminal trespass.  

Dylan M. Capone, age 18, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 15 with misdemeanor assault and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.    

Eugene McLeavens, age 31, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 15 with aggravated unlicensed operation, a misdemeanor. 

Renee M. Denstedt, age 19, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 14 with failure to provide proper food/drink to and animal, a misdemeanor.   

Miley M. Esper, age 23, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 13 with misdemeanor DWI.    

Jeffrey P. Keegan, age 32, Troy, was charged on June 13 with misdemeanor DWI. 

Shannon L. Tracey, age 33, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 12 with misdemeanor criminal trespass.  

Cameron L. Hendrix, age 22, of Saratoga Springs was charged on June 9 with grand larceny and falsifying business records – both felonies. Hendrix is suspected of stealing in excess of $3,000 while employed at the Trustco Bank in the Wilton Mall and of making false entries to a business record with the intent to defraud to conceal the theft. He was arraigned at Wilton Town Court and released to pre-trial services, pending further action in the matter.

Devon M. Ostrander, age 22, of Ballston Spa, was charged on June 9 with strangulation in the second-degree, a felony, and misdemeanor assault in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in Stillwater. Ostrander was arraigned at the Milton Town Court and sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail or bond. The victim, who was known to Ostrander, was evaluated and treated at Saratoga Hospital.

Sean W. Macqueen, age 46, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 8 with speeding, and misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation, a misdemeanor.  

Diogenes Diaz, age 57, and Victor A. Maffetone, age 31, both of Saratoga Springs, were each charged on June 8 with criminal possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor. 

Brandon E. Sewall, age 22, Amsterdam, was charged on June 8 with assault in the second degree, a felony, and criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor. 

John R. Bellon, age 23, Porters Corners, was charged on June 8 with criminal possession of a controlled substance misdemeanor, and criminal possession of controlled substance, a felony.

Grey M. Urbahn, age 18, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 8 with grand larceny in the fourth-degree, a felony.  

Shawna M. Green, age 43, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 8 with failure to notify DMV of a change of address, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle second-degree, a misdemeanor. 

Sara A. Cummings, age 33, Gansevoort, was charged on June 6 with unlawful use of mobile phones in a motor vehicle, and aggravated unlicensed operation third-degree- a misdemeanor.   

Stephen R. Toussaint, age 46, Saratoga Springs, was charged on June 5 with felony robbery.

Paul J. Demartino, age 38, Greenfield, was charged on June 5 with misdemeanor criminal contempt, and misdemeanor petit larceny.

ALBANY – The New York State Department of Health announced this week that a healthcare worker employed by Hudson Headwaters has been confirmed to have measles. The highly contagious respiratory disease causes a rash and fever and can be passed from one person to another just by being in a room where someone with measles coughed or sneezed.

Symptoms appear about 10 to 12 days after a person is exposed to measles. The infected individual, in addition to working at Hudson Headwaters, spent time at a Saratoga County Home Depot, the Stadium Restaurant on Broadway, and a Warren County medical practice between June 5 and June 8.

The state DOH warns anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed: Home Depot (garden section of store), 3043 Route 50, Wilton-Saratoga Springs border between noon and 2 p.m. on June 5; Saratoga Stadium restaurant, 389 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, between 6:15 - 9:30 p.m. on June 7, and the following three Hudson Headwaters Health Network locations: Warrensburg Health Center, 3767 Main St., between 7:25 a.m. - 7 p.m. on June 6, or between 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on June 7; Hudson Headwaters Health Network, 9 Carey Rd., Queensbury, between 7 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. on June 7; Hudson Headwaters Health Network West Mountain Health Services, 161 Carey Rd., Building 1, Queensbury, between 7:45 – 10:35 a.m. on June 8.

The times reflect the period that the infected individual was in these areas and a two-hour period after the individual left the area, as the virus remains alive in air and on surfaces for up to two hours. This explains the overlap in times. A person with measles can pass it to others from four days before a rash appears through the fourth day after the rash appears.

Symptoms generally appear in two stages.

In the first stage, which lasts two to four days, the individual may have a runny nose, cough and a slight fever. Eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever gradually rises each day.

The second stage begins on the third to seventh day and consists of a red blotchy rash lasting five to six days. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads downward and outward, reaching the hands and feet. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age.

Individuals lacking immunity or not sure if they have been vaccinated, should contact their health care provider if they develop measles symptoms. Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or runny nose. Symptoms usually appear in 10-12 days after exposure.

To prevent the spread of illness, the state DOH advises anyone who may have been exposed and who has symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness. After contacting their health care provider, symptomatic individuals should also contact the local health department.

A person is unlikely to get measles if they were born before Jan. 1, 1957, have received two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine or have a lab test confirming immunity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 100 people from 11 states – including New York - were from Jan. 1 to May 20, 2017 reported to have measles. In 2016, those reports numbered 70 people, and in 2015 -188 people. In 2014, the United States experienced a record number of measles cases, with 667 cases from 27 states reported to CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases - marking the greatest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000.

For more information about measles, go to: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2170/.

SARATOGA – A city woman was found inside her overturned vehicle just before 6 p.m. Tuesday by state Police responding to a report of a vehicle submerged in Fish Creek.

The woman, 66-year-old Ellen T. Steinberger, of Saratoga Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators, who responded to the incident at Brown Point Lane in the town of Saratoga, found the 2007 Toyota Solara overturned after it had exited the bridge that crosses the creek. They do not suspect foul play.

“She was generous, funny, and a tremendous caregiver,” said Sue Edwards, who worked with Steinberger at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, where Steinberger was a volunteer at the Saratoga Room. She also provided walking tours at the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. It is believed Steinberger – who was passionate about the arts in Saratoga - was originally from Long Island.  

Authorities said the bridge is a single lane path with railroad ties as side barriers on a private roadway. An autopsy is expected to be conducted Wednesday. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Keeping up with potential development projects in the city can sometimes be a daunting task, but this Thursday's Planning Board meeting – held 7 p.m. at City Hall - offers residents the opportunity to learn more about three major project proposals in their infancy stage and looming on the future horizon.

The projects slated for discussion are:

Mixed-use development on West Avenue (here’s a link to our original story : http://www.saratogatodayonline.com/home/item/6043-you-are-looking-at-significant-development-saratoga-springs-grows-west);       

South Broadway (diner) redevelopment (learn more here: http://www.saratogatodayonline.com/home/item/6353-diner-to-be-razed-at-saratoga-gateway-and-a-new-vision-for-south-broadway ); and a new condominium complex at 120 Henry Street (city application link here: http://saratoga-springs.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1855?fileID=7394).