Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 772

SWSC Juventus Finishes Strong with Win over Alleycats

 

The SWSC U10 boys’ team Juventus scored nine goals in their final victory of the 2015 outdoor travel soccer season, which saw them lose just two games all year. The 9-4 victory over the Alleycats on June 21 was their final game at Chaz Drake Field on Daniels Road. The team has been together for more than two years and is excited to be moving up to U12 next year and playing home games at Gavin Park.

Forwards/halfbacks Nico LaRosa, Evan Hallett, Charlie Fox, Davis Oliver-Goodwin and Flagg Taylor, wingers Tyler Gordon, Evan Weatherwax and Kaelen Leak, and stopper Evan Griffiths supported goalkeepers Dixon Boggs and Lucas Henderson throughout the season, scoring goals and making strong defensive plays and saves while learning "the beautiful game" and exemplifying good sportsmanship.

 

 

TogaHockey Camp

 

TogaHockey Camp 2015 will be held from Wednesday, July 22, through Friday, July 24, at the Weibel Avenue Ice Rink from 10 a.m. to noon each day.  The camp is open to anyone entering grades 8 through 12.  Cost is $175 per player, $125 for goalies.  For more information, contact coach Torres at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at 518-583-1198.

 

 

SHAWN THERE IS A PHOTO LABELED 36BASEBALL TO GO WITH THE FOLLOWING WRITE UP - Neil

Adirondack Heat Compete in Florida

The Adirondack Heat 14U travel baseball team is competing in the Perfect Game Super25 National Championship Tournament at JetBlue Player Development Complex in Fort Myers, Fla., through July 7.

 

The Heat won the Perfect Game Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Cumberland County, N.J., on June 14 to earn the berth in the national championship tournament.  The Perfect Game Super25 National Championship is a tournament of the top 25 travel baseball teams throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

 

Built in 2012, the Jet Blue Player Development Complex is the spring training facility of the Boston Red Sox.  The facility consists of six minor league fields, as well as JetBlue Park at Fenway South, which has the exact same dimensions as Fenway Park in Boston, including the famed Green Monster.

 

0 0 1 381 2174 Saratoga Publishing 18 5 2550 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

The Adirondack Heat Travel Baseball Program consists of 5 teams ranging from age 10 to 15.  The Heat is one of the premiere travel baseball programs in Section 2.  The Adirondack Heat 14U (Black) team consists of players from Saratoga, Ballston Spa, Schuylerville, Shenendahowa, Ichabod Crane, Troy, Shaker and Greenville High Schools.

Thursday, 02 July 2015 11:47

Community Sports Bulletin

7th Annual Fun Fly

Come on out to the 7th Annual Fun Fly air show, presented by the North Country Flying Tigers, on Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. until the sky goes dark. This is a benefit for Operation Comfort Warriors. AMA members and everyone from the public is welcome to attend. You can enter gas, glow or electric aircrafts on the 600-feet grass runway. There will be a club furnished cookout for a small fee, 50/50 raffles, airplane raffles and a silent auction, as well as giant scale flying demonstrations. As a bonus, there will be full-scale flyovers, flight simulators and flying contests. Pilot landing fee is $10. Location is NC Flying Tigers Field, 1933 CR 43, Adamsville Falls. GPS coordinates: N43 18.261 – W073 28.555. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

 

 

Springettes Fare Well at Gymnastics Championships

Five of the Saratoga Regional YMCA Springettes gymnastics team members traveled to Wichita. Ks., for the YMCA Gymnastics Championships from Wednesday, June 24, to Saturday June 27.   There were approximately 1,300 YMCA gymnasts there from all across the country representing their teams. 

Kalli Hewitt, Katy Hawthorne, Ava Dallas, and Sophia Sperling represented Saratoga in Level 4 on Thursday in the first session of Level 4 competition.    Overall the team placed third out of 55 gymnastics teams in the country.    

Saratoga swept the junior division, having three of the girls take the 1-2-3 win.   Ava Dallas led the juniors, placing first with a 36.15 all-around.  Sophia Sperling took second place all-around with a 36.075, and Katy Hawthorne took third place in the junior age division with a 35.475.    Ava was also first on vault and floor, and thirdon the balance beam.   Sophia placed firston the bars and beam, secondon the vault, and sixthon the floor.  Katy placed secondon the beam, and third on the bars and floor. 

 

In the senior Level 4 age division, Kalli Hewitt took fourth place all-around.  She also placed first on the floor, fifth on the vault, and eighth on the bars. 

 

Marissa Verro represented Saratoga in the Level 8 competition, senior age division.  On the first day she placed third in the all-around in her session, taking home secondon vault with a 9.0, second on bars with a 9.2, and fifth on the floor ex with a 9.0.  Marissa paced eight out of all of the Level 8 senior age competitors in the competition, moving her on to the level 8 finals on Saturday.  IN the All-around final, she finished eighth out of 67 girls in the country.  

 

Blue Streak Boys Basketball Camp

The camp, held July 13 to 17 at Maple Avenue Middle School, will focus on fundamentals and work to develop shooting skills, defense and other fundamentals of the game. Cost is $125 per player.

Session 1, for boys in grades 3 through 6, will be from 8 to 11 a.m., while grades 7 through 10 will go from noon to 3 p.m. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

1k and 5k Run at Gavin Park

Come join Friends of Wilton Recreation for a 1k or 5k walk/run at the Town of Wilton’s ParkFest 2015 on Saturday, July 11. The 1k begins at 9:15 a.m. for kids 10 and under, with prizes for all participants. The 5k begins at 8 a.m. for ages 11 and up, with t-shirts for all participants and prizes for top finishers in each age group. Cost to participate is $5 for the 1k or $20 for the 5k.  For more information and to register, visit www.friendsofwiltonrec.com.

 

TogaHockey Camp

TogaHockey Camp 2015 will be held from Wednesday, July 22, through Friday, July 24, at the Weibel Avenue Ice Rink from 10 a.m. to noon each day.  The camp is open to anyone entering grades 8 through 12.  Cost is $175 per player, $125 for goalies.  For more information, contact Coach Torres at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at 518-583-1198.

0 0 1 594 3390 Saratoga Publishing 28 7 3977 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

 

Thursday, 02 July 2015 11:44

Second Chance Sports Offers Help to Vets

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Billy Yaiser is a Vietnam War veteran dedicated to helping other veterans whop have either physical or psychological issues in any way he can.

He started the National Learning League Training Center, located on the Hudson Valley Community College campus, many years ago to help achieve low-cost, common sense solutions to serious health problems facing many members of the community.

He started it 30 years ago to allow people to easily begin playing sports without regard to their physical condition, hosting golf outings and tennis matches for the disabled. He also founded Second Chance Sports with the goal of teaching disabled veterans how to play golf and tennis despite their disabilities.

“My goal is to help people get good enough so that they don’t have to take lessons anymore,” Yaiser said. “Everybody should be able to get out and do things, especially our veterans. For those with PTSD, it’s way more than just getting out and swining a club or racquet. They get to meet and interact with people, which helps with their feeling of seclusion.”

Yaiser said aging equipment and rising costs are making running his foundation a bit difficult.

“Like anything else, after years of use, just like cars that need to be repaired or replaced,” Yaiser said, “the golf carts we use for Wounded Warriors or disabled community members are too expensive to just go out and replace.”

The golf carts used to get the people out and playing cost at least $8,000 apiece, and Yaiser said he has eight that need repair. He estimates that all of the repairs will cost in excess of $28,000, and he’s asking for help from the community.

“The act of kindness is the Healthy Saratoga and the Thank You Project where you help us take care of the active military and their families,” he said. “Now, when they need it most. All we ask is that you take care of yourself and family and friends by learning something fun and healthy like a lifetime sport.”

Golf, tennis and racquetball are the main activities at Second Chance. Cost is $80 per four-week session. If you sign up now, you will get free passes to other programs, which can be discussed with Yaiser in private.

“You don’t stop playing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop playing,” Yaiser said.

0 0 1 349 1995 Saratoga Publishing 16 4 2340 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

For more information on all of this, please call Yaiser at 518-491-0556.

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Race organizers for Saratoga’s popular four-mile Firecracker 4 road race on July 4 expect to crest the 4,000 runner mark this year, as the race known for supporting active community causes holds its ninth annual competition.

 

“The growth of this race and the numerous businesses and individuals who support it through their running, appearances in our vendor village, and sponsorships demonstrate the importance of healthy lifestyles and running solidarity here in Saratoga Springs,” notes race co-director Bob Vanderminden.

 

“Fleet Feet Sports, locally-owned running shops in Malta and Albany, has returned this year as the race’s Presenting Sponsor, because they share our passion for wellness and building stronger communities through running. We welcome additional sponsors to support us with cash or in-kind donations, or by purchasing race registrations to distribute to their employees,” said race co-director Peter Goutos.

 

As part of the lead-up to the race, Firecracker 4 organizers, Fleet Feet Sports, and ASICS have joined together to support the Galway family of ultra-marathoner Shaun Evans, who with his wife and their two young boys will run more than 3,000 miles across the USA this summer, traveling east from Seattle back to New York in a journey they call the “Power2Push.” Starting July 4th, Shaun Evans will push his 9-year-old son Shamus, whose cerebral palsy limits the use of his legs, in a special running chariot.

 

Speaking about his decision to sponsor the trip, Charles Woodruff, co-owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Malta and Albany, notes, “In the running community, we love stories that inspire runners of all abilities to run farther, race faster, or train harder. We are excited to support the Evans family as they pursue their dream of sharing the thrill of mobility with others. We are outfitting Shaun and his family in ASICS gear because their dream aligns with the current ASICS inspirational theme: ‘It’s a big world. Go run it.’ ”

 

FC4, Inc., the non-profit organization that manages the race, will donate proceeds from the event to several organizations this year:

  Saratoga Camp Abilities program, a Saratoga Springs Lions Club sports camp for blind/visually impaired youth

  Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, facilitating opportunities for Saratoga County veterans

  Saratoga Regional YMCA West Avenue facility expansion

  Saratoga Greenbelt Trail, an initiative seeking to connect trails around Saratoga Springs into a 9-mile loop for multiple recreational uses

  Saratoga Springs High School Running Programs (cross-country/track & field), offering competitive opportunities open to all abilities

  Power2Push Cross-USA Run, supporting Ainsley's Angels and promoting inclusion and active lifestyles for children with disabilities

“It’s very important to us to help move the wellness and fitness movement ahead in our region,” states Goutos. “We give the proceeds of this race to organizations that are forward-thinking and supportive of athletes of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We also want to help build infrastructure here that will be used for many generations to come.”

 

Video highlights of last year’s race, from a segment of the nationally-watched RUNNING show on FOX regional networks, are viewable at Firecracker4.com on the Photos/Videos page.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES OF 2015 RACE

The 2015 event includes these special features:

  NEW: Three largest teams of runners in the “Run Your Colors” program will win $1,000, $500, or $250 donations to the charities of their choice

  NEW: Expanded runners villages for school teams, USATF Teams, and military/veterans teams to set up pop-up tents where they can gather before and after the race

  NEW: Food-raiser for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, whereby runners and spectators are invited to donate shelf-stable food at Fleet Feet Sports stores and at the race registration/packet pick-up area

  NEW: Announcement of “It’s a big world. Go run it.” travel prize winner to receive two round-trip airfares (maximum value $1,500) courtesy of Asics/Fleet Feet Sports, enabling travel for a runner and companion to attend a dream running event

  The first 4,000 registered runners will receive an Asics “Ready Set” textured mesh running shirt, courtesy of Asics and Fleet Feet Sports

  Over 20 bands and musical venues along the race course, with the local modern country band Grit n Whisky at the finish line

  $6,000 in monetary prizes to the top individual and team finishers and 174 award categories and prizes for runners of all ages

  Special recognition of Military and Public Safety (Police/Fire/EMS) competitors including team competitions

  Saratoga Stryders Grand Prix event, USATF Adirondack 4 Mile Grand Prix Event and USATF Team Championship Race

“As of the first week of June, twenty-two teams have already registered for the 2015 Run Your Colors event. It’s simple to win: gather your friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers and be the group with the most registered runners,” Goutos explained. “In addition to the prize money for charity, the winning team has a nice story to share about giving back. Last year, the Rock Your Fitness team out of Malta awarded its $1,000 winnings to the Pat Tillman Foundation, which supports military veteran scholars.”

 

“Over the past nine years, this race has helped to define a Saratoga July 4th tradition. We are excited this year to make the race more inclusive and inviting to local military veterans,” notes Vanderminden.

 

FREE TRAINING RUNS HOSTED BY FLEET FEET SPORTS & ASICS

The race’s presenting sponsor Fleet Feet Sports and its vendor partner Asics will host free training runs leading up to the race to help runners prepare. These sessions are open to all ability levels. Training runs will leave from Fleet Feet Sports two stores in Albany (155 Wolf Road, at Metro Park Road) and Malta (37 Kendall Way, The Shops of Malta) on Wednesday evenings, June 17 and June 24, at 6 p.m. A rehearsal of the four-mile Firecracker course is set for Saturday morning, June 27 at 8 a.m. starting in front of the City Center in downtown Saratoga.

 

DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION UNTIL JULY 2

Online race registration costs $31 through July 2 and is now open at www.firecracker4.com and at Fleet Feet Sports in both Albany and Malta. Registration goes up to $35 at on-site registration, held at the Saratoga Springs City Center from 4 to 8 p.m. on July 3 and on the day of the race beginning at 7 a.m.  Anyone registering the day of the race is urged to arrive to the Saratoga Springs City Center no later than 8:15 a.m. to ensure an on-time start. 

 

RACE PARTICIPATION HAS EXPANDED OVER NINE YEARS

Event Co-Directors Peter Goutos and Bob Vanderminden Jr. have championed the race since its 2007 inception, when just 142 runners competed. That number has grown tremendously to roughly 3,600 in 2014. The runners range in ability from elite athletes, who complete the four miles in times under 20 minutes, to everyday families and individuals who are trying to become more healthy through running or walking.

 

RACE KICKS OFF SARATOGA’S JULY 4th FESTIVITIES     

The ninth annual event kicks off Saratoga’s July Fourth celebration. The race starts at 9 a.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center, traverses Broadway through the downtown shopping district, and then winds through the historic streets of Saratoga’s East Side neighborhood, where more than 20 bands play on street corners and local residents cheer and set up garden-hose misting stations to benefit the runners.

 

Runners and their families are treated to music and activities at the start/finish. A Vendor Village—with local businesses, not-for-profit groups, food tents, sports massage therapists, and other displays—is set up adjacent to the finish line. Through the generosity of the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Safety, runners finish this Independence Day race under a giant American flag hoisted by the Saratoga Springs and Maple Avenue Fire Departments.

 

The Firecracker 4 provides an impressive start to the All-American Celebration in Saratoga Springs (www.saratogajuly4th.com), which includes a grand parade directly after the race, barbeque and dessert festival, classic car show, live music, city tours, face painting and fireworks at dusk.

 

BACKGROUND

0 0 1 1299 7410 Saratoga Publishing 61 17 8692 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

The Firecracker 4 race is managed by FC4, Inc., a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization committed to supporting healthy lifestyle choices.  Event profits are donated each year to local not for profit organizations that embody these principles.

Thursday, 02 July 2015 11:27

Bouchard has Made his Mark at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS – On April 27 of last year, Stephane Bouchard crossed the finish line at Saratoga Casino and Raceway to more fanfare than usual.

And there was good reason: Bouchard, born and raised in Canada, had just notched his 8,000th professional harness racing victory, a gigantic feat in a sport that has been waning in popularity over recent decades.

On top of all the accolades he’s earned as a driver, he and his wife, Sue Bergeron, have a small stable at the track consisting of four horses that the couple trains and races.

“You really have to focus in this sport,” Bouchard said outside of his stable on Monday. “You have to work really hard, otherwise you’ll get left behind.”

Bouchard has grown into one of the top drivers in the sport, coupling all those wins with more than $70 million in purses over his career. It was in the summer of 1999 when Bouchard moved from Quebec down to the New York City area to ride full time at Yonkers Raceway and Monticello, where he won multiple riding titles at both places. He occasionally raced at Saratoga over the years, before moving his family to the city in 2013 for good.

Spanning the years 2000 to 2008, Bouchard notched at least 489 wins each year, topping out at 814 victories in 2007 with $7.7 million in purses. Simply put, Bouchard is one of the top drivers in the sport.

He won’t, however, downplay the importance of hard work.

“It’s not easy,” he said. “You have to hook up with the right people so you can get as many starts as possible. There’s a lot more to being successful in racing than just having talent and being the right size.”

Bouchard rode his first horse in 1989. He is the son of a barrel racer, and said he spent a lot of time around horses and other animals when his father was working. He enjoyed it so much that he dropped out of college to get himself in the industry, starting off as a groomer.

From there, he earned his trainer’s license before eventually landing his driver’s license. The rest, as they say, is history.

The 48-year-old knows his way around a horse, but said the main thing when racing a new horse is to listen to what the owner and trainer tells him.

“It may be the first time the horse has ever raced, so not everyone knows about him,” he said. “The horse might not like to be touched, or may have some bad habits. Sometimes, an owner will even tell me that I shouldn’t touch the horse at all. But no matter what I am told, that information only works 25 percent of the time. There’s a lot of improvisation involved.”

Even though he’s won so many races, Bouchard said that after a victory, he starts preparing for the next race. He added that he can enjoy it when the night has completed.

“I have to get ready for the next race in 20 minutes, so I don’t think too much about it right away,” he said. “Sometimes after the night is over we will go out to dinner, but it’s really the owners who get the most excited to see their horse in the winner’s circle.”

Since he has moved to Saratoga, Bouchard said he has grown to thoroughly love the area. While he said it was nice to live near New York and have such a gigantic city at his fingertips, he likes that there’s nowhere near the hustle and bustle up here.

“It’s not a big city here, no, but everything is really close, so it’s not a big deal,” he said. “My son likes to ski and so do I and we are very close to a lot of great skiing.”

At the end of the interview, he spoke about being a trainer and a driver.

0 0 1 547 3122 Saratoga Publishing 26 7 3662 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

“We are all self-employed,” he said. “You always have to hustle, always. It’s always changing in this sport. You have to get out there and get your horses because nothing is free or given to you.”

If you didn’t score tickets to see the Fare Thee Well shows celebrating the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary, there are still many ways you can get in on the action.

Locally, you can head over to the Putnam Den on Sunday, July 5, for a streaming party, where a video projection of the live concert will be shown outside the venue. The event is free and open to anyone ages 21 and up. It is set for an 8 p.m. start time.

In 1965, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann set out on a musical exploration that would go on to span 30 years and is clearly still alive and kicking today. Today, Lesh, Weir, Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart are known as the Dead’s Core Four, and they’re playing a total of five concerts (two in California last weekend, three in Chicago this weekend) with an all-star cast of supporting musicians. Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio is taking on the hefty lead guitar duties, while Bruce Hornsby and Jeff Chimenti are handling piano and keyboard.

The Grateful Dead have a long history with the greater Capital Region, as they have played in Albany many times. On June 27, 1985, the Dead brought the largest crowd in SPAC’s history, when 40,231 people packed the venue. Because of that concert, SPAC was forced to institute a capacity limit of 25,100. Fans of the Dead were and are notorious for seeing many nights in a row of the band.

If the first two shows from California were any indication, those heading to Chicago are in for a massive treat. On June 27, the band took the stage to a huge roar, settling into a short jam on Weir’s jam vehicle “The Other One,” before the familiar opening lick to the timeless “Truckin’ ” started. And with that, the end of a long, strange trip began in grand fashion, with Anastasio dutifully nailing every note, from the poignant sounds of “Morning Dew” on through the next night’s rollicking set two closer, “Sugar Magnolia.”

If you’re a fan of music in general, you should witness this history. It’s also highly symbolic that two of the biggest touring bands in the history of rock and roll have merged to pay homage to the Dead and their larger-than-life front man, Garcia. For jam band fans, and music lovers in general, these are the biggest events in years. 

But if you cannot make it, go to the Putnam Den and shake your bones with all of your like-minded friends, have a few beers and enjoy the same atmosphere that lingered in the air for 30 years of Grateful Dead concerts.

If there’s one thing this band has taught us, it’s that the music really never stops.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – It’s certainly not for the faint of heart.

Picture yourself 13,500 feet in the air with the door of a small airplane wide open. You’re decked out with big goggles, something that resembles a jumpsuit and a backpack containing the only thing that can save your life on the journey you’re about to embark on: A parachute.

Forget butterflies in your stomach – it’s more like there’s a swarm of cicadas deep in your gut. As you wipe away a bead of sweet glistening on your brow, you’re told, “it’s time.”

You look down and see the earth from what might as well be outer space. Three … two … one … and you’re off.

As you drop and the atmospheric pressure lessens with each passing foot, you’re relieved that your first skydive is going so well.

As you deploy your parachute, you start to think: “Hey, I can do this again. That was fun!”

You just jumped out of a plane and landed successfully on the ground. Are you insane or what?

For Saratoga Springs resident Matt Leonard, it’s all in a day’s work. Leonard, 24, has been skydiving since 2010, when he was a student at the University at Massachusetts-Amherst and has turned a passion into a championship-winning pedigree.

Two weeks ago, Leonard went down to Raeford, N.C., to compete in the US Parachute Association National Parachuting Championships and returned home two gold medals, a silver and a bronze. Not a bad haul for Leonard, who practices and prepares for these events when he’s not working as a chemical engineer at Global Foundries.

“Mentally, you’re competing with others, so it’s a mind thing,” Leonard said. “You can’t second guess when you’re about to jump. Your biggest competitor is yourself, and if you think too much, you’ll end up penalizing yourself.”

He took home gold in the advanced category and also zone accuracy. He won silver in speed and bronze in distance.

The USPA is a non-profit founded in 1946 and is dedicated to the promotion of safe skydiving nationwide. It has established strict safety standards and training policies at more than 240 USPA-affiliated schools and centers throughout the country. The 37,000-plus member group makes more than 3.2 million jumps each year.

Leonard grew up just outside of Boston and moved to Saratoga Springs in May of 2014 to start his new job. But it was March 19, 2010, that would change his life in an adventurous way.

His father had been a skydiver from 1994 through 2005, and his brother got involved in 2005. So, with a familial background in the sport, Leonard decided to give it a go in Florida, where he was visiting on Spring Break.

“I didn’t plan it until I got down there,” he said. “But it was really cool. I had my rig, and my first jump was by myself, not a tandem jump. Shortly after, I got certified to skydive and now I have a USPA license.”

Since that jump, skydiving has become an obsession of sorts for Leonard, who talked about what it feels like to prepare for a nearly three-mile free fall.

“For me, it’s really just a little nerves or anxiety,” he said. “You get excited about entering a world you’re not familiar with. Sitting in a plane with the door open, 13,500-feet up in the air, your body just kind of takes over. The only thing you really need to know is to remember what the instructors taught you, and do that. There are tasks you need to complete and you’ll be fine.”

Leonard explained that after taking eight jumps, you become certified as a jumper. Beyond that, there are all sorts of different criteria to make it to other levels. Leonard is certified as an instructor, and spends a lot of his time taking others on jumps.

He’s even earned a high enough rating to be considered a coach. Earning that level in such a short period of time is a testament to Leonard’s passion for the sport.

Leonard joined his college’s Sport Parachuting Club, eventually becoming president in 2011.

He has competed in the USPA championships a few times, but this was his most successful trip to date. This year, there were a total of 59 competitors, and Leonard beat out 23 in the advanced category.

A second jumper leaves at the same time, equipped with a camera. He or she will snap photographs on the way down, making for some entertaining shots.

“Saying I love skydiving would be an understatement,” Leonard added.

Leonard said he’s a simple man, spending his free time skiing at Stratton or Mount Snow when he’s not jumping out of planes. But during the warm weather months, he said he doesn’t do much outside of work and skydiving.

0 0 1 697 3978 Saratoga Publishing 33 9 4666 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

“People often ask what it’s like to skydive, and I tell them they have to go try it for themselves,” he said. “It’s not really something that an explanation would do justice.”

Thursday, 18 June 2015 13:47

Police Blotter and Courts

SENTENCING/COURTS

Ronaldo Adriano, 36, of Schuylerville, pled to misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child and will be sentenced August 17.

Christopher M. Collina, 26, of Halfmoon, pled to the charge of felony grand larceny and will be sentenced on June 29.

Tyler E. Lester, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison for felony burglary.

Paul J. Lattan, 47, of Ballston Lake, pled to the charge of felony DWI and will be sentenced August 18.

 

BLOTTER

Ronald E. Lipscomb, 58, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested June 11 and charged with petit larceny.

Michael E. Cashman, 46, of East Greenbush, was arrested June 11 following a property damage accident and charged with felony DWI – second offense.

Shawn A. Gusswiller, 31, of Schenectady, was arrested June 11 following a traffic stop and charged with felony DWI, felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle under the influence.

Dwayne A. Wilson, 41, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested June 10 following a traffic stop and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, refusal of a chemical test and ticketed for unlawful possession of marijuana and equipment failure.

Brendan C. Young, 41, of Hudson Falls, was arrested June 10 and charged with felony strangulation/obstructing breathing or blood circulation.

Verdonna L. Snyder, 33, of Gansevoort, was arrested June 10 following a property damage accident and charged with felony DWI, leaving the scene of an auto accident with property damage and starting a parked vehicle.

Ricky C. Guidry, 45, of Ballston Spa, was arrested June 10 and charged with felony strangulation/obstructing breathing or blood circulation and third degree assault.

John E. Enos, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested June 10 and charged with DWI, driving with a BAC greater than .08, aggravated DWI and ticketed for failure to signal a turn and driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

Mert Karakoy, 27, of Malta, was arrested June 10 following a traffic stop and charged with DWI, driving with a BAC greater than .08, unlawfully driving on or across a sidewalk and improper U-turn.

Jane Colt, 50, of Johnstown, was arrested June 9 and charged with confinement of companion animals in a vehicle.

Matthew F. Rickard, 23, of Hadley, was arrested June 8 on a warrant and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Edward J. Hallmark, 45, of Duanesburg, was arrested June 8 on multiple outstanding warrants and charged with scheming to defraud, criminal possession of a forged instrument and four counts of petit larceny.

Victor A. Maffetone, 29, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested June 8 and charged with assault.

 

 

Cody D. Greathouse, 24, of Bloomington, Ind., was arrested June 14 and charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury.

Maurice D. Walker, 26, of Schenectady, was arrested June 14 following a traffic stop and charged with DWI, refusal of a prescreen test, driving with a BAC greater than .08 and ticketed for equipment failure.

Richard L. Williams, 22, of Schenectady, was arrested June 13 and charged with two counts of felony criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Jonathan J. Rivera, 25, of Gansevoort, was arrested following a property damage accident and charged with felony DWI (second offense), felony driving with a BAC greater than .08, leaving the scene of an accident and ticketed for unsafe backing.

0 0 1 539 3077 Saratoga Publishing 25 7 3609 14.0Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

 

Thursday, 18 June 2015 13:45

SNLL Scores

MAJORS

 

PBA

3

Lions

4

 

Tobias Selkis had a double and a homerun for PBA.  Evan Toman struck out eight hitters and Thomas Przedwiecki had three sparkling plays at third base.  Evan Toman, Thomas Przedwiecki and Liam Baldwin pitched.

  

I Love NY Pizza

9

PBA

7

 

For I Love NY Pizza, James Capone went 3 for 3.  Michael Karpinski, Hunter Chandler, Bryan Camaj and Chase Corbett all went 2 for 2.  Antonio Payano had his first-ever solo homerun.  Michael Karpinski pitched 3 1/3 innings with 9 strikeouts.  Hunter Chandler finished another 2 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts.

 

For PBA, Dylan Mulholland had a two-run homerun, Liam Baldwin made a great throw from center to cut down a runner at home and Aiden Cook made a great catch in right field.  Thomas Przedwiecki, Tobias Selkis and Liam Baldwin pitched.

 

Crest Care

9

PBA

1

 

Jack Marquette went 3 for 3 with 2 triples and a single, driving in four runs for Crest Care.  Nate Siewert went 1 for 3 with a key hit and made an outstanding catch in right field to preserve the lead.

 

Evan Toman stole home for PBA’s lone run and pitched three strong innings.

 

MINORS

 

Elks

9

Carr-Hughes

4

 

Connor Wilcox made three great catches in the outfield for the Elks, turning a double play on one of them.  CJ Althiser went 2 for 3 with an RBI.  Orion Lansing, Louis Betit and Hutton Snyder pitched a great game.

 

Ryan Otten had a walk and 2 stolen bases, scoring a run for Carr Hughes.  Joey Barretto and Patrick Kenney pitched.

 

Saratoga Strategic Partners

1

Elks

11

 

Michael McLain stole home for the Saratoga Strategic Partners’ only run.

 

Loius Betit went 2 for 2 with 5 RBI for the Elks.  CJ Althiser went 1 for 1 with an RBI and Orion Lansing went 1 for 1 with 2 RBI.  Orion Lansing, Trevor Duthaler and Thomas McNamara pitched.

  

Kelevra Krav Maga #1

8

Saratoga Strategic Partners

3

 

For KKM, Jack Ragle threw 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball with 7 strikeouts, then batted 2 for 3 with a triple and a double.  Michael Mack went 3 for 3.  Patrick Sorbero went 2 for 2.  Patrick Temple went 2 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI.  Jack Ragle and Michael Mack pitched.

 

Seth Tremper had an RBI single in the sixth for Saratoga Strategic Partners.  Mateo Avila, DJ Stallmer and Chris Youngs pitched.

 

Carr-Hughes

14

Saratoga Firefighters

4

 

Hayden Barrett went 1 for 2 with a walk and made two great plays in the field for Carr-Hughes.  Frank Hill, Holden Johnson, Louis Longobardo, Collin Wright, Hayden Barrett and Patrick Kenney all pitched for the win.

 

SNLL Mayor’s Cup

0 0 1 435 2483 Saratoga Publishing 20 5 2913 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

The Saratoga National Little League will be hosting this year’s Mayor’s Cup on Saturday, June 20, at West Side Rec field on Division Street.  The Tri-City ValleyCats will bring their Show on the Road to our annual event with pregame entertainment, team intros and in-game promos such as the Tri-City mayor’s race.  Festivities begin in the afternoon with a BBQ, games, etc.

Thursday, 18 June 2015 13:42

Iovino Content at Raceway

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Have you ever wondered how horses are selected for harness races at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway?

Raceway Racing Secretary Peter Iovino has had that responsibility for 10 years now, sifting through lists of horses, past performances and a multitude of other information as background before assembling a day’s racing card. It’s time consuming, but it affords Iovino the opportunity to keep his hand in the ground floor activities at the track.

“I really try to write races in the best way possible,” Iovino, a Brooklyn native, said. “I love it. It’s challenging, I can tell you that. My job is to put the best product out there, but I also need to keep owners, drivers and everyone happy.”

Iovino, who held the same position at Freehold Raceway in Freehold, N.J. prior to landing the gig up here, said he loves his job, as well as the Saratoga Springs area. He currently lives in Greenfield.

There are certainly big differences between New York City and Saratoga.

“I really like the pace of life up here,” he said. “It’s laid back and the traffic isn’t nearly as bad as Brooklyn, although I do hear that people aren’t big on the traffic during track season. The nightlife is great here and the people are friendlier. It’s the simple things.”

Iovino said that even though the track isn’t open from mid-December through mid-February, his job is year round. He said he’s constantly reading text messages and emails from people, whom he said it’s his job to keep happy.

“It takes a lot of patience to do this job, and that’s a good thing,” he said. “I try to put myself in other people’s situations and make sure I do and try my best. In this job, you have to always be learning.”

He added that he doesn’t currently have any desire to move up into management at the track, stating he “likes being in the tranches. I like to know what’s going on and being directly involved.”

As for the future of harness racing, Iovino said, like many others close to the sport, it needs to find the younger audience to get it back to its heyday.

One suggestion he offered was to “pick up the pace” and add more races to each card, allowing for more action.

“The game isn’t really marketable right now,” he said. “It’s not fast enough and we’re not the only game in town. The number of people interested in the sport has been declining steadily for 25 years.”

He likened it to bowling and pool’s popularity in the 1940s, but said that if the right people take on the challenge, the sport absolutely can have a positive outlook moving forward. The sport is far from dead, as evidenced by the $1.6 billion wagered in 2013, but people are just not showing up to the tracks.

Iovino pointed toward the 1 1/16-mile Joe Garrity Memorial on July 25 as the day to circle on your calendar. He said he added 1/16 of a mile to make the race more competitive, as drawing an outside position makes it much tougher for pacers to win.

0 0 1 445 2541 Saratoga Publishing 21 5 2981 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

“It’s going to be a competitive and balanced race,” he said.

Page 1 of 4

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