- 2012-2013 BSCSD budget gets needed supermajority BY KEVIN J. ROGERS kevin@theballstonjournal.com Voters approved the Ballston Spa Central School District's budget for the upcoming year by an overwhelming majority on Tuesday, May 15, according to unofficial results. The budget needed the approval of at least 60 percent of the voters to pass due to the way the state's 2 percent property tax cap formula calculated the district's tax levy... [More]
BY BARBARA COOK barbara@theballstonjournal.com “Mayday! Mayday!” The phrase is commonly used to express distress in a situation that needs to be addressed immediately. That’s the point the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) is trying to make through a statewide Mayday for Mandate Relief resolution. The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors passed the resolution at its meeting Tuesday. Unfunded federal and state mandates... [More]
- Changes coming to admissions procedure at the county home BY BARBARA COOK barbara@theballstonjournal.com The board of supervisors is tweaking the Maplewood Manor Collection of Late Payments policy and procedure it adopted in September. The policy was adopted to eliminate bad debt, which was more than $1 million at the time, explained Hadley Supervisor Mo Wright at the May 1 Public Health Committee meeting. Since then the policy has... [More]
- Planned activities run gamut from parades to pole-vaulting BY BARBARA COOK barbara@theballstonjournal.com Summer 2012 in Ballston Spa will be an exciting one, if the activities approved Monday night by the village board are any indication. Among them are a parade, film festival, homeless animal events, two 5k races and a pole-vaulting competition. One of the races even ends with the runners covered in colored powder. “There’s all... [More]
Director of Athletics out, new Assistant Principal in BY CAITLIN O'CALLAGHAN caitlin@theballstonjournal.com As summer approaches and the school year comes to an end, one familiar face will not be returning to Ballston Spa High School in the fall. This year will be the last for Joan Libby, the current Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics. “We are realigning administrative responsibilities,” said Stuart Williams,... [More]
- Joe Ritchey leaves legacy of on-budget capital programs, improved infrastructure BY BARBARA COOK barbara@theballstonjournal.com On May 9, 1983, Joseph Ritchey was appointed commissioner of the Saratoga County Department of Public Works. He retired from the position 29 years and one day later, on May 10, 2012. At the board of supervisors agenda meeting May 9, Ritchey was honored for his years of service to the county. Chairman Thomas... [More]
The Friends of the Kayaderosseras and local 4-H and Girl Scout members invite the public to help them plant one thousand trees and one thousand shrubs along the Kayaderosseras Creek on Saturday, May 19. Volunteers are asked to bring a shovel. Tree and shrub planting will start at 9 a.m. and will be concentrated along the Driscoll Road Park and the Rock City Falls and Boyhaven. The planting program is part of a long term goal of Friends of the... [More]
- Annual folk festival features performers, workshops, family activities The 43rd Annual GottaGetGon Folk Festival will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 25 through 27, at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. Sponsored by the Pickin’ and Singin’ Gatherin’ (PSG), the Albany area’s participatory folk music organization, the GottaGetGon is a small, family-friendly festival. There are concerts and workshops for those... [More]
School makes top five percent of over 22,000 high schools, scores silver award Ballston Spa High School has been recognized on the Best High Schools list compiled annually by U.S. News and World Report, the school district announced in a May 10 press release. Nationally, the school was ranked at 1151st, or in the top five percent of over 22,000 high schools across the country, and was awarded the silver award for both student success and the... [More]
- A group of dedicated quilters sends warmth around the world, 48 squares at a time. BY JENNIE GREY jennie@theballstonjournal.com The world can be a cold and desolate place for people in need, but help can come in many forms. One form is the longtime members of the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Malta, who are using cotton fabric and thread, as well as their hearts and hands, to create quilts for some of the poorest among us. Sarah Fisher... [More]
Obituaries
BALLSTON SPA - A graveside service for Jeannette E. Roner, who passed away January 16, 2012, will be held 1:30pm Sunday, May 13, 2012 at Factory Village Cemetery, Northline Road, Ballston Spa.... [More]
BALLSTON SPA - William C. Hewitt died at home on Monday, May 7, 2012. Survivors include his daughters: Mary Lee (George) Blakeslee, JoAnn (Chris) Hauprich, Patricia (Stephen) Jurcsak, Paula (Gus) Slade, Laurie (Tim) Ferradino, his sons: William C. (Janice) Hewitt, Jr., Francis (Patricia) Hewitt, Joseph (Francine) Hewitt, His grandchildren, Allison Blakeslee; Christopher Hewitt; Lisa Hewitt; Ashley Hauprich; Brian Hauprich; Mary Rose Hauprich;... [More]
BALLSTON SPA – Peter Dickens of Milton Avenue, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2012, following a long battle with brain cancer. He was 57. Survivors include his wife, Mary Frances Murphy Dickens; his siblings, David Dickens of Rochester, NH, Deryl and Leo Loviza of Saratoga Springs and Brian and his wife Laurel Dickens of Manchester, CT; his aunt and uncle, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends may call from 9 to 10:30am... [More]
BALLSTON SPA - Beverly J. Novatsky 85, of Ballston Spa, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2012. She was predeceased by her husband Anthony Novatsky and her son Garry. Beverly is survived by her niece, Karen Yager of California, her great niece, Michelle Yager (Danny) of Delanson, and her great and great great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 2pm Thursday, May 10, at the Gerald B H Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road,... [More]
BALLSTON SPA - Frank Jeffery Flinton “Skeeter” 59, of Ballston Spa, passed away suddenly Sunday, April 29, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Beverley Flinton, two sisters, Faith Flinton and Fern Wagner (John), brother, Faron Flinton (Jill), two stepchildren, Robert Smaldone and Kandee Lane (Mack), four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and his buddies, Mo and Star. A memorial service was held... [More]
BALLSTON SPA - Richard L. “Dick” Hamilton, 76, died on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, a day after he suffered a massive heart attack. He spent most of his life working in racing and possessed an expert's knowledge of many facets of America's oldest sport. He delighted in being able to recall and recite the design and colors of history's famous and not-so-famous racing silks. Dick spent the final six years of his 20 years with the New York Racing... [More]
BALLSTON SPA - Nickie L. Foss, 53 of Ballston Spa, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2012. Nickie is survived by her twin sister, Vickie Plumley of Long Lake and her children, Jessica Plumley of East Greenbush and Nikolas Plumley of Waterford, her brothers, Rocky Foss and his wife Linda of Hurlock, Maryland, and Rod Foss and his wife Susan of Burnt Hills, and her nieces, Jennifer, Erica, Lisa, Sarah, Erika and Danielle. A memorial service will be... [More]
ROCK CITY FALLS - Rev. Christopher A. Mickel, 56, of Rock City Falls, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2012. Chris was known by many, was heavily involved with the community, serving as member, treasurer and chaplain of the Rock City Falls Volunteer Fire Department; treasurer of the Milton Grange, chairman of ECHO; and assisted with the local food pantry in Rock City Falls. He is survived by his parents, Walter and Elizabeth Mickel of Gallupville;... [More]
BALLSTON SPA - Virginia C. (Stebel) Griffin, 82, of Ballston Spa, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2012. Virginia is survived by her husband, Robert; her son, John R. Rung and his wife, Rosemarie (Kaminiski) of Merrimack, NH; threegrandchildren, Alexandra Rung and her fiance, Thomas LaSala of Manchester, NH, Jonathan Rung, and Christopher Rung of Merrimack, NH; great-grandson, Thomas R. LaSala of Manchester, NH; sister, Lorraine Pettinger of... [More]
BALLSTON SPA – Dorothy E. Corbett, 86, of Ballston Spa, passed away on Sunday April 8, 2012. She is the beloved mother of Sandra (Howard) Cropsey, Robert D. (Barbara) Corbett, Daniel J. Corbett Jr., Diane Franklin, Sharon Dearstyne, Virginia (Paul) McQuade, Lynn Serekis and Dawn (Steven) Borcherding. She is the sister of John Ouimette. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. There will be no calling hours.... [More]















