Monthly Archives: June 2014

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Mark William Degener – 56

SCHAGHTICOKE -   Mark William Degener, 56, died Thursday, June 26, 2014 at home with his loving family by his side.  He was the husband of Kimberly A. (Mead) Degener.

Born Tuesday, February 18, 1958 in Troy, he was the second child of Robert William Degener of Melrose and the late Anna Delight (Keller) Degener.

Mark grew up on the family farm in Schaghticoke.  An enterprising young man, he raised cows and saved his earnings for college.  He earned a BS degree from Sienna College after graduating from Hoosic Valley High School, class of 1976.

For over 20 years, Mark has been a governmental accountant, working for Rensselaer County One Stop in Troy.

He spent many hours training dogs and working with children as a volunteer with the Rensselaer County 4-H, where he was known as “the hot dog man”.  It was at a dog training session that he and Kim met.  It was love at first sight.  They were married January 1, 1999.

He liked to go fishing though he never caught a fish; was a wiz at building computers but hated cell phones and had a passion for lawn mowers and tractors.

He was a wonderful, compassionate man with a great sense of humor and will be missed by all.

Along with his wife and father, he is survived by a step-son Christian Stanzione-Degener of Schaghticoke; three siblings, Gary (Sandra) Degener of Mechanicville, Karen (Bernard) Cukrovany of Melrose and Kurt (Donna) Degener of Porter Corners; mother-in-law Patricia (Olsen) Mead of Mechanicville and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Sunday, June 29, 2014 from 2 to 5 PM at Hoosic Valley Community Church, 2024 State Route 40, Schaghticoke. The funeral will begin at 5 PM.

The family requests donations in Mark’s memory be made to Rensselaer County 4-H with checks made to:  Rensselaer County CCE, 61 State Street, Troy, NY 12180.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, Cambridge, NY.  Please visit www.ackleyrossfuneralhome to share a memory or leave a condolence.

 

 

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Malta Community Center – by H. Wessell

 

MALTA, June 18 - The Malta Community Center is not simply a physical facility, but somewhat a tip-of-the-iceberg ñ a pretty expansive iceberg, at that ñ as the nerve center of the Town's Department of Parks, Recreation & Human Services.

   The Mission Statement reads: "To enhance the quality of life in our community, the Town of Malta Parks, Recreation & Human Services strives to be a leader by providing exceptional programs, facilities and services."  As part of comprehensive planning, the Town has striven to provide recreational diversity and enhanced community services. In 2008 the building, built in 2000, was expanded to 20,000 square feet, so as to become an intergenerational center providing social, health, recreational, cultural and educational opportunities.  It is also home to an increasingly busy Town Library.

Read the entire article in the June 26th issue of the Express

 

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Scholar Athlete Team Awards for MHS

They hit the ball.

They hit the ground running.

They hit the books.

 

All four spring varsity teams at Mechanicville High School -- baseball, softball, boys track and girls track – received a Scholar Athlete Team Award from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association this month for excellence in the classroom during the recently completed season.

To qualify for the award, each team had to have a certain number of athletes achieve a 90 or better average in the classroom during the season. For baseball and softball, it was 11 and for the track teams it was 12. In addition to the team certificates, individual athletes received a pin from the NYSPHAA if they had a 90 or better average. The baseball team had 11 qualify, softball had 14, boys track had 19 and girls track had 30.

Read the entire article in the June 26 issue of the Express

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Big fun in store for little readers at the Waterford Public Library – By Jennifer Dugan

 

The Waterford Public Library is once again offering up its popular Creating Readers Backpacks program. Beginning July 1 and running through August, the library will have themed backpacks filled with books, DVDs and other reading related activities available for their patrons to borrow. Each backpack is geared towards preschool and early elementary aged students and is designed to keep kids reading and engaged with learning throughout the summer months.

Read the entire article in the June 26 issue of the Express

 

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Some Hurdles in Brown’s Beach Restoration Are As Expected – by H. Wessell

STILLWATER, June 19 - Some things will not get accomplished this year in the revival of Brown's Beach  but that is as expected, Town Supervisor Edward Kinowski said in an update to the Town Board.  "We're trying to put forth the effort on everything we possibly could. but some things we just could not." However he stressed, "We are working through a phasing process. It will take 2-3 years before we will see Brown's Beach come to fruition."

Read the entire article in the June 26th issue of the Express

 

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Adirondack Save-A-Stray Pets for Adoption

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This is Elvis. Elvis is a 3-4 year old Quaker Parrot. He talks, meows and comes to his name and more. He comes with his own cage, carrying case and accessories. He also like to be out of his cage for about 2 hours a day. His owner found herself traveling too much with work and felt it was better that he find a home where they could spend more time with him. He should go to an experienced, bird friendly family. If anyone is interested in adopting Elvis please call the shelter at 518-654-6220 or come by the shelter to meet him.
Lancaster litter
Lancaster Litter
These guys waited several weeks to transport up to the North. They finally got health certificates and are good to go after being bumped a couple of times. They are about 12 weeks old. They are vet checked, up to date on shots and good to go.
Doc Kittens
These babies were found by one of the veterinarians down south and he took them in. They are about 9 weeks old and have been given extra special attention from the vet. They have had first shots, feline leukemia/aids tested and worming. They are good to go.

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Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office – Car vs. Bicyclist

BALLSTON - The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a car vs. bicyclist accident that occurred on Rte 50 in the Town of Ballston at approximately 3:00 PM

A bicyclist was travelling south on Rte 50 when he attempted cross Rte 50 and

struck a vehicle travelling northbound (2003 Mercedes Benz) driven by Nathan R.

Saiz of Malta. He was ejected off of his bicycle and was thrown approximately 15

feet. He was not wearing a helmet.

The bicyclist was transported to Albany Medical Center by Community Corps

Ambulance where he is presently being treated for his injuries, he is expected to

The identity of bicyclist not being released at this time.

Ballston Spa Fire Dept. also assisted at the scene

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Eric Simmons – Guilty

Eric Simmons guilty of forcible sexual assault after pretending to need ride home and directing female victim  to remote area.  Slams her down in mud in woods and attacks her until she breaks free. Now faces 25 years in prison

Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III announced today that Judge Jerry J. Scarano rendered a verdict of GUILTY in the case of People v. Eric J. Simmons, DOB 6-12-62 of 11 Glowegee Drive, Ballston Spa, NY after a 6 day bench trial on all 5 counts of the indictment which include:

Criminal Sexual Act 1st "B" Violent Felony

Sex Abuse 1st "D" Violent Felony

Assault 2nd "D" Violent Felony

Assault 3rd "A" Misdemeanor

Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation "A" Misdemeanor

The allegations stem from the early morning hours of September 5, 2011 where the female victim was giving the defendant, a male acquaintance, a ride home during a rain storm.  Defendant directed her to an isolated location in a wooded area, where she stopped her vehicle.  It was at that time that defendant pretended to shake her hand to thank her for the ride, but instead suddenly and violently grabbed the victim from the vehicle and slammed her to the ground.  He then began to violently physically and sexually assault the victim as she lay on the rain soaked and muddy ground.  As he physically overpowered the victim,  he forced his penis into her mouth, and then continued to sexually assault her by ripping up her shirt and placing his hands and face into her chest.  He then tore off her belt, breaking it into two pieces, and tried to removed her soaking wet jeans.  It was during this struggle that the victim was able to break free of his grip, run back to her vehicle and speed away to a friend's house.  Fortunately, the victim was able to describe the location with particularity, and law enforcement was able to located the scene and recover physical evidence from the assault.  Found at that location were a number of items that belonged to the victim, specifically, her bracelet and watch, both of which had broken off her wrist during the struggle, her broken belt which defendant had ripped from her pants, and a key which had been in her pocket.

The Sheriff's Department attempted to locate the defendant at his last known address and various  places he was known to frequent without success.  Defendant had fled the state immediately following these events described above.  Ultimately in 2013, the defendant was located in Tennessee, arrested as a Fugitive From Justice  and extradited to New York State as a result of a Grand Jury Indictment.

 

While the defendant has no prior felony convictions, he does have a misdemeanor history including DWI and domestic violence crimes.

 

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence, besides the victim's testimony, was the presence of DNA evidence which confirmed sexual contact between the victim and the defendant.

After the summations by the defense and prosecution, Judge Scarano directed that the evidence be given to him for review and recessed to his Chambers for deliberation.

The Judge ultimately returned the verdict of guilty on all counts of the indictment.

DA Murphy said "ADA Michele Schettino ensured that this sexual assault victim had her day in court and made it abundantly clear to the Judge that this was a purposeful, violent attack.  The prosecutor, through the testimony conveyed perfectly the fear and horror felt by the victim as she faced the brute force of the defendant attacking her.  I believe the DNA evidence sealed the defendant's fate .  I applaud the victim for her courage in taking the stand and confronting this violent predator years after the attack. "

 

ADA Michele Schettino thanked the men and women of the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department as well as Assistant DA Alan Poremba who assisted in the prosecution of the case for their work investigating the matter in 2011 and in continuing to persistently look for the absconding defendant to bring him to justice.

 

Sentencing is August 26, 2014 at 1:30 pm.   The defendant faces anywhere between 5 to 25 years in whole or half years plus 10 years of post-release supervision.