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Police Blotter: September 12 – September 18, 2022

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Blotter.

WARREN COUNTY

  • Cody B. Batcher, 32, was arrested for 3rd Degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Mark A. Myers, 50, was arrested on an active warrant
  • Jackson M. Metz, 23, was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation: Alcohol Related
  • Andree Shepard, 27, was arrested for 3rd Degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Sean R. Miller, 33, was arrested for 3rd Degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Anthony J. Pecor, 46, was arrested for 3rd Degree Assault with Intent to Cause Physical Injury, Criminal Mischief with Intent to Damage Property, 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon: Previous Conviction, Menacing a Police or Peace Officer
  • Joseph S. Barron, 41, was arrested for 2nd Degree Harassment
  • Brent G. Skoll, 55, was arrested for 1st Degree Criminal Contempt
  • Ashley M. Dudley, 35, was arrested for 2nd Degree Bail Jumping, Failure to Appear
  • Brenda J. Ackley, 34, was arrested for 2nd Degree Criminal Contempt
  • Samuel E. Travis, 44, was arrested for Petit Larceny
  • Mitchell E. Stone, 46, was arrested for Petit Larceny
  • Billy R. Mitchell, 38, was arrested for Aggravated Family Offense, 1st Degree Criminal Contempt
  • James F. Barber, 49, was arrested for Petit Larceny
  • Jody L. Tanner, 50, was arrested for Petit Larceny
  • Brian S. Vangundy, 29, was arrested for 3rd Degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Tammy M. Love, 33, was arrested for Petit Larceny
  • Carter J. Backus, 22, was arrested for 3rd Degree Criminal Mischief: Damage to Property
  • Terry L. Brower, 51, was arrested for Petit Larceny
  • Nathaniel J. Walker, 31, was arrested for Petit Larceny
  • Lindsey A. Capone, 32, was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Robert A. Crosby, 3rd Degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Resisting Arrest
  • Timothy E. McIntyre, 45 was arrested for Acting in Manner to Injure Child Less Than 17
  • Brenna R. Michalak, 25, was arrested for Acting in Manner to Injure Child Less Than 17
  • Jacob E. Baker, 23, was arrested for 2nd Degree Harassment

Warren County Sheriff

QUEENSBURY – At approximately 7:10 p.m. on Sept 15, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of a possible assault that occurred at the Warren Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, located at 42 Gurney Ln in the Town of Queensbury. A family member reported the victim, a 67-year-old resident of the Warren Center, had been struck by a Nurse’s Aide. Through an investigation into the claim, officers learned the victim had been assaulted by 19-year-old Raven J. Charles-Gary, of Birmingham, AL. Charles-Gary struck the victim in the face, causing cuts, bruising, and substantial pain. Charles-Gary was arrested for Assault in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Elderly Person in the Second Degree, both felonies. She was held at the Warren County Correctional Facility pending arraignment.

HUDSON FALLS – On Sept. 17, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Morgan E. Bemis-Heym, of Hudson Falls and 52-year-old Linda L. Marshall, of South Glens Falls, following a traffic stop. Bemis-Heym–known to officers for having a suspended driver’s license–was operating a black Jeep Compass with a brake light out. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officers observed a scale with white powder substance consistent with cocaine residue and a knife in plain view inside the vehicle. Bemis-Heym was removed from the vehicle, at which point a baggie containing what appeared to be crack cocaine was observed on the driver’s seat. Bemis-Heym was transported to Warren County Sheriff’s Office where she was found to be in possession of additional crack cocaine. The passenger of the vehicle, Linda Marshall, originally gave a false name and was later found to have active warrants out of Glens Falls and Saratoga County. Morgan E. Bemis-Heym was charged with 1 count of 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (intent to sell) 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (1/2 ounce or more of a narcotic drug), both class B Felonies, and 2nd Degree Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia–a class A Misdemeanor. Linda L. Marshall was charged with 2 counts of 2nd Degree Criminal Impersonation–Class A Misdemeanor. Bemis-Heym and Marshall were arraigned the next morning in Warren County CAP Court where they were released on their own recognizance to return at a later court date.

QUEENSBURY – On Sept. 18, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested 29-year-old Jonathan C. A. Johnson of  Glens Falls, 29-year-old Robert J. Periard of Argyle, and 20-year-old Maleki A. Nichols of Queensbury following a traffic stop. Johnson, the operator of a Volvo XC90, was stopped after failing to signal while turning at an intersection in Queensbury. The vehicle he was driving also had switched Vermont license plates registered to a Chevrolet passenger car. Upon an inventory search of the vehicle, crack cocaine was located on the front passenger seat and a loaded 9mm firearm, a quantity of crack cocaine and a digital scale with cocaine residue were located in the glove compartment. All three men were charged with 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (intent to sell) and 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (1/2 ounce or more of a narcotic drug)–both class B Felonies. The three men were also charged with 2nd Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon (loaded firearm)–a class B Felony. The men were also charged with 2nd Degree Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia–class A Misdemeanor, while Periard was charged with 7th Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance–class A Misdemeanor. Johnson, who is currently pending class B drug felonies out of Glens Falls, was also issued traffic tickets for Failure to Signal and Switched License Plates. All subjects were arraigned the next morning in Queensbury Court where Periard and Nichols were released on their own recognizance to return at a later court date and Johnson was remanded for lack of $2000cash/$4000bond for bail.

LAKE GEORGE – At approximately 3:14 a.m. on Aug 20 the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to an assault in progress on Canada Street in the Village of Lake George. Patrol Officers arrived on scene to find all parties separated, the victim in this incident lying on the ground with a severe head injury and fractured ankle. The victim was transported to Glens Falls Hospital and later Albany Medical Center for treatment. After a police investigation, it was determined that 23-year-old Nicholas D. Motta of Lake George, 22-year-old Sean A. Lamando of Queensbury, and an unknown third party attacked and repeatedly struck the victim in the face and body with closed fists, causing injury. Motta was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Gang Assault, 2nd Degree Assault, and 2nd Degree Strangulation. Lamando was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Gang Assault and 2nd Degree Assault.

Hot air balloons floating above the ground in a field.

Adirondack Balloon Festival Returns for 49th Year This Week

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, News.

Hot air balloons floating above the ground in a field.

QUEENSBURY — The Adirondack Balloon Festival returns this week for its 49th year, running from Sept. 22-25 at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury and Crandall Park in Glens Falls.

“I think everyone’s happy to have it back,” said Erin Reid Coker, a member of the Festival’s board of directors and one of the event’s organizers. “From a fan or general public standpoint, we just have nonstop messages on social media, and emails, with people excited to come up from all parts of the country, really.”

Opening ceremonies will take place at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Crandall Park in Glens Falls, with an initial flight of 10+ balloons, according to the festival schedule. 

Crandall Park will also have food vendors and live music on Thursday, and a ‘Downtown Block Party’ begins at 6 p.m. The block party will feature balloon baskets on display, activities for kids, and a car show.

“Crandall Park’s been a tradition for a long time,” said Coker. “We’ll have balloon baskets down there for people to check out. Glens Falls has always been a big supporter of the event, so it’s a pretty easy transition for people to come to the park and check out the balloons, then go downtown and support the local restaurants and businesses.”

The festival has “close to 60” balloons in total, Coker said, adding that the Crandall Park ceremonies will be between 12-15 balloons.

The Balloon Festival did not have vendors last year, Coker mentioned, as a result of uncertainty during the planning period due to COVID-19. This year, however, the Festival appears to be back in full force. Coker said the festival team has been “blown away” with support from local businesses.

“It’s just been amazing, how much support we’ve had from them,” said Coker.

On top of food and drink vendors, the Zonta Club will be running a craft fair at the festival. Coker said there will also be several sponsorship vendors.

A flight of up to 50 balloons, including ‘special shapes’, will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday. A similar flight will take place at the same time on Saturday, and will be followed by ‘Lighting Up the Night’, a flight of glow-in-the-dark balloons at 8 p.m.

“When it gets dark, the balloons will inflate, and from the propane burners you can kind of see the glow of the balloon shapes and the colors,” Coker said. “It’s synced to music. We’ll have some music on hand, where at certain points during a song, different balloons will hit their propane burners.”

Coker noted that the flights are weather-permitting, saying “that’s always the biggest factor.”

“The pilots want to fly as much as anybody else wants to see them, so we hope for good weather,” Coker said. 

There will be live music on hand at the festival, with performances by bands such as Beatin’ the Odds and Across the Pond. 

The festival will also pay tribute to its founders. ‘Celebrating Joan’ will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, honoring Joan Grishkot, who passed away last year. ‘Walter and Joan’s Mass Ascension’ will take place at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Coker referred to Grishkot as “the face of the festival.”

“Joan and Walter, her husband, started the festival 49 years ago,” Coker said. “She’s going to be missed, and we’ll have that special launch for her.”

The closing flight of the festival will be at 5 p.m. on Sunday in Crandall Park.

Coker emphasized the community aspect of the festival, saying that it has “kind of turned into a tradition for my family.”

“I think that’s what it is for a majority of people that come,” said Coker. “Their kids came when they were young, and then they grew up, got married, and their kids come. So it’s really important for me to create these memories for my wife and daughter. That’s pretty much why I do it.”

The Adirondack Balloon Festival is free to attend. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit adirondackballoonfest.org.

SUNY Adirondack Students Organize Petition Against Sex Offender Enrolled in Classes

Written by Gary Scott on . Posted in Community, Education, Featured, News.

Students at SUNY Adirondack have organized a petition against a registered sex offender currently enrolled in classes at the college.

The controversy began on Sept. 8 when the college sent out a mass email alerting all students that a level three registered sex offender would be attending in-person classes at the college this semester. After the email went out, second-year student Destiny Rose began the petition, which has been signed by 975 people as of Tuesday morning. 

The petition requests that Timothy Philmon, 50, of Glens Falls, be removed from in-person classes, and enrolled in fully virtual classes instead. The petition states, “It is of the opinion of many students that having Timothy Philmon, a level three registered sex offender, on a campus with minors and a daycare, is unethical and unsafe.”

College president Kristine Duffy acknowledged the petition, but said it would be illegal for the college to satisfy this demand. According to college administration, registered sex offenders do have protected rights to pursue an education under the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, provided that they notify authorities, as Philmon reportedly did.

According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Philmon was first convicted of second-degree sodomy in 1997. He had reportedly given marijuana to multiple boys aged 12 to 15 in exchange for sexual favors. 

He was first released on parole in March of 2008, but four months later was charged again with exposing himself to a 15-year-old co-worker. On this charge he pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child. As this was in violation of his parole, he was returned to state prison to serve the remainder of his initial sentence.

Capital Region APA Announces New Division in Glens Falls

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Columns, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, News.

GLENS FALLS — The Capital Region APA Pool League has announced a new nine-ball division for the upcoming season, scheduled to begin in Glens Falls this Sunday, Sept. 25.

“We want to get another format out there,” said Ryan Gilligan, League Operator of the Capital Region APA Pool League. “We do have a Wednesday division that we just started up (in Glens Falls), and that’s eight-ball. The players up there were like, ‘Hey, could we also get the nine-ball format up there as well?’”

The league plays at Downtown Social in Glens Falls at 6 p.m. on Sunday nights over a period of 12 weeks, according to a post on the league’s Facebook page. 

“Our league supports local business, so the Downtown Social, they love having it there, because they’re just hanging out,” Gilligan said. “Just drinking, eating, having a good time.”

There will be 5-8 players per team, with a maximum of 5 players per team participating in a match each week. Gilligan said this means players “don’t have to give up every Sunday,” instead having the option to rotate with other team members.

The nine-ball format sees nine balls on the table, with players starting with the lowest ball. Each ball is worth 1 point, while the nine-ball itself is worth 2 points.

“Depending what your skill level is will depend on how many balls you make,” said Gilligan. “It’s a fun, social league. Anyone can play. If you’re a lesser player, you have to make less balls to win the match. If you’re a higher skill level player, you have to make more.”

Each team requires a mix of skill levels, with Gilligan saying that the league has a “team skill-level limit.”

Gilligan said that several teams have signed up for the league already, which begins this Sunday. 

The first-place team in the league will automatically qualify for Tri-Annuals, while division and playoff winners will also qualify. Tri-Annuals will see these teams compete against other winners from the Capital Region, according to the league’s Facebook page.

Tri-Annual winning teams will receive a cash prize of $600, and advance to the Capital Region APA World Qualifiers in June 2023. The World Qualifiers will take place at the Albany Capital Center.

Winners at the World Qualifiers will advance to the World’s Largest Pool Tournament, held in Las Vegas in August 2023. The grand prize for the World’s Largest Pool Tournament is $30,000.

Gilligan said participation in the league has grown in recent years, emphasizing the social aspect of the league. 

“After the pandemic, I feel like people are itching to get out of the house and do something new,” said Gilligan. “Our league has been growing significantly after the pandemic. We actually grew coming out of the pandemic, where we had more teams coming out than we had starting.

“It’s like a social thing, that’s what our league is. We bring people together.”

The entry fee is $50 per team, plus an annual APA membership fee of $25. To join or register a team, visit the Capital Region APA Pool League page on Facebook, or call (518) 630-5664.

Warren County Property Auction Set for Oct. 15

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Featured, News, Property.

Photo: auctionftp.com

QUEENSBURY — The Warren County Real Property Tax Services Office will hold its annual live public auction on Saturday, Oct. 15, according to a press release from the County.

Over two dozen tax-foreclosed properties will be available for purchase, the release states. The auction will be held at the Warren County Courthouse. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m., with the auction itself set to begin at 10:00 a.m.

The release states that 27 parcels are on the auction list in total, including “a motel, single family homes, commercial property, and vacant lots.” 

The auction proceeds are used toward funding environmental cleanup and recouping “lost tax revenues needed for public services,” the County said in the release.

A full list of properties and details can be found on auctionsinternational.com. 

Adirondack Balloon Festival Begins Thursday, Glen Street to Be Closed at 3 p.m.

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Columns, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, News.

GLENS FALLS — Due to the Adirondack Balloon Festival, there will be no parking allowed on Glen Street after 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, according to a release from the City.

Glen Street will be closed from the traffic circle to South Street, the release states. The Balloon Festival will be holding a “Downtown Block Party” from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., kicking off a weekend of fun and balloons.

The Block Party will have balloon baskets on display, in addition to a car show and activities for kids, according to a release from the City.

In addition to the downtown party, festivities at Crandall Park will kick off at 4 p.m. on Thursday with the opening of food vendors. At 4:30 p.m., Beatin’ the Odds, a southern rock band from Clifton Park, will perform. 

Opening ceremonies for the Balloon Festival will be at 5 p.m. at Crandall Park on Thursday, with a flight of “10+ balloons” to follow at 5:30 p.m., according to a release from the city. 

Young Eagles Day Coming to Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport Oct. 1

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Community, Education, Featured, News.

QUEENSBURY — Kids with an interest in aviation will get a chance to learn about and fly in planes up close on Oct. 1, with Young Eagles Day coming to the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury. 

Young Eagles Day is sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association, which has flown over two million ‘young eagles’ in total, according to the EAA website. The Queensbury event is organized by EAA Chapter 353.

“We give the kids, for 15 minutes or so, they’ll walk around what you’d see on an introductory flight,” said Harrison Freer, the EAA Chapter 353 Young Eagles Coordinator. “Then we match them up with a pilot, either in a two-seat or four-seat airplane, and take them up for a ride.”

Kids aged 8-17 are eligible to participate in the event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. There will be multiple planes on hand, with Freer saying that he expects “probably half a dozen planes available,” as well as a ground crew.

The event was also held at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in June and October of 2019, with Freer stating that “between 40 and 60 participants” were at each one.

In addition to the flights, participants also receive a certificate and a logbook, which allows access to an online training program.

“As part of the logbook, they’re able to go online and get free access to an online flight training program called Learn to Fly by Sportys,” said Freer. “This online training course prepares people, in this case youth, to learn everything they need to know to get their private pilot written test passed.

“That’s another benefit that, again, at the Experimental Aircraft Association level, it is made available to anybody that participates.”

Freer, who served in the Air Force and said he has been flying for almost 50 years, said there is “a real growing need for professional aviation.”

“It can be both a hobby and a profession, or either or,” said Freer. “But the airline pilot projection is that there’s going to be a shortage of airline pilots for the next 10 to 15 years.”

The Young Eagles program is a way to introduce kids to aviation, and offer further opportunities to aspiring pilots.

“There’s a lot of opportunities, professionally and for fun,” Freer said.

To register, visit eaa.org.

City of Glens Falls to Install Parking Sensors, Renovate East Field Courts

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Featured, News.

GLENS FALLS — The City of Glens Falls will undergo a pair of construction projects in the coming weeks. 

The city will have parking sensors installed in “certain downtown locations,” according to a press release. The sensors will be installed below the streets. Cones are being placed to mark the locations of the sensor installations.

The sensors will be installed as a “precursor for the future development” of a city parking plan, the release states. The work is expected to be completed between today and Thursday.

The city will also work to refurbish the East Field basketball courts, following a contract award from the Glens Falls Common Council last week. A press release states that the city’s engineering department has received a signed contract and a Certificate of Insurance.

A pre-construction meeting will be held at the basketball courts at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The release states that the contractor “would like to begin work as soon as next week.” The courts will be closed for the duration of construction, with the release saying the contractor hopes to finish in a four-week period, “if temperatures allow the coatings to be applied.”

Spartans Boys Soccer Ties La Salle

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured, Sports.

QUEENSBURY — The Queensbury varsity boys soccer team battled through their third overtime period in the last four games on Saturday, finishing with a scoreless tie against La Salle.

The Spartans had several chances in the opening half, but La Salle keeper Andrew Lee was able to turn them all away. On the other side, Jake Afsar-Keshmiri made several quality saves and kept the Cadets off the board after some strong chances in the second half.

Neither team was able to score in overtime, despite several chances, and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Afsar-Keshmiri made 11 saves for the Spartans, while Lee stopped nine shots for La Salle.

Queensbury will host Schuylerville at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Queensbury Field Hockey Cruises Past Glens Falls

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured, Sports.

GLENS FALLS — The Queensbury varsity field hockey team cruised to victory on Friday, defeating Glens Falls 9-0 on the road.

Eight different players scored for the Spartans, with Lilyauna Hazelton netting two goals. Gianna Marcantonio, Sarah Nelson, and Brianna Zehr all scored their first varsity goals in the victory.

Dani Hand had a goal and two assists, while Kendal Kelsey and Ryan Allen each had a goal and an assist. Kendra Ballard added a goal, while Marcantonio and Ellie Althoff also picked up assists.

Glens Falls’ Maggie Goodwin made 11 saves in goal, with teammate Darielle Gooden stopping six shots. 

Queensbury will play at Granville at 4:30 p.m. today.