The Express Newspaper – June 19, 2014
Monthly Archives: June 2014
Body Recovered in Kayaderosseras Creek
Ballston Spa, NY: The search resumed this morning for a missing person from a rafting accident on the Kayaderosseras Creek on Friday evening. At approximately 10:15 this morning a swift water kayak team from the the body was initially located by the Environmental Conservation Police jetboat located the remains of an adult female on the shores of the Kayaderosseras Creek in the Town of Malta. The body was located on a point of land between Malta Avenue and Northline Rd which had been exposed as the waters of the Kayaderosseras Creek receded following a weekend of flooding.
The victim has been identified as Diana Henderson, age 52 of the Town of Milton. On Friday evening Henderson was rafting in the swift moving waters of the Kayaderosseras Creek following a heavy rain storm when her raft capsized and she was swept downstream. An extensive search of the creek began Friday evening and continued through the weekend.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted throughout the search effort by the New York State Forest Rangers, Environmental Conservation Police, New York State Park Police, Ballston Spa Police Department, Ballston Spa Fire Department, Malta Ridge Fire Department, Arvin Hart Fire Department and Malta-Stillwater Ambulance. It was through the collaborative effort of the many agencies involved and the vast resources available to our communities that Mrs. Henderson’s remains were located.
We offer our condolences to the family of Diana Henderson and our thanks to the many agencies that assisted us in the search..
Ryan Place Indicted
BREAKING: Jury returns verdict this evening on Ryan Place on all counts of the indictment. Top count of Kidnapping 2nd carries a maximum sentence of 10-25 years in prison. Victim relieved the ordeal is over.
Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III announced today that a jury has returned a verdict of guilty on all counts of the indictment on Ryan Place (DOB 7-25-85) of 309 Greenfield Avenue, Milton, NY.
The jury found him guilty at 5:00 PM including Kidnapping 2nd and numerous counts of Aggravated Harassment and other offenses. The crime occurred on July 21, 2013 in the Town of Saratoga in a wooded area near Saratoga Lake. Place dragged his victim, a female woman known to him into the woods by her hair, beat her repeatedly and made her dig a shallow grave with her bare hands. He threatened to kill her and leave her for dead. Over the course of the kidnapping, he also forcibly took her near a small pond where he threatened to drown her telling her that is where her dead body would be found by authorities in the days ahead. The Aggravated Harassment charges stem from Place calling the victim from the Saratoga County Jail in violation of an order of protection.
The trial, where the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including the victim, lasted 7 days and the jury deliberated for roughly 1 and a half days, returning a verdict this evening. The Saratoga County Sheriff's Department conducted the Investigation and numerous personnel from the Department were called as witnesses.
Murphy praised the work of Sheriff Michael Zurlo and the men and women of his Department for their work in this difficult case, particularly in identifying the scene of the crime which was in a densely wooded area and challenging to locate and secure evidence from.
The defendant faces a potential sentence of a range of from 10 to 25 years in whole or half years as the Kidnapping is a B violent felony offense.
Murphy said "I am so proud of the victim who got up on the stand, looked the defendant in the eye and told her story truthfully and with confidence. Assistant DA Kristin Foust, who tried the case, enabled the victim to tell the jury this harrowing tale in a safe environment, which ultimately brought Mr. Place to justice."
Commenting on the domestic violence aspect of the case, Murphy said,
"This is a classic case of domestic violence. He slowly exerted control over until his grip on her became so tight that he literally controlled every aspect of her life. I am just thankful she is not the victim of a homicide and lying dead in that shallow grave he had her dig and that she is alive and well to testify against him."
Sentencing is scheduled for August 11, 2014 at 1:15 PM.
Alfred “Snuffy” Cervini – 90
MECHANICVILLE – Alfred “Snuffy” Cervini, 90, of Kennedy Garden Apts., died Monday, June 9th, at Schuyler Ridge, Clifton Park, after a brief illness.
Funeral Mass Monday, June 16th at Noon at All Saints on the Hudson Church, Mechanicville, with military honors burial at Saratoga National Cemetery.
Gathering of family and friends on Monday from 11AM-Noon at No. Main St. Church
Remembrances to All Saints Church Endowment fund. Visit www.devito-salvadorefh.com for expanded obituary notice.
Arrangements by the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, Mechanicville.
Roman W. Johnson – 87
MECHANICVILLE - Roman W. Johnson of Johnson Road passed away peacefully at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. He was 87.
Roman was born in Troy on October 25, 1926, son of the late Casimir and Mary (Laba) Johnson. The family moved to Mechanicville in 1935. On September 21, 1961 he married Ruth Simmons.
Relatives and friends may call from 10-12 noon on Monday, June 16, 2014 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 319 Park Avenue, Mechanicville. Funeral service will be conducted at noon in the funeral home. Burial will be in Clifton Park Village Cemetery.
Kindly consider donations to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 in memory of Roman Johnson.
Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com
Yard Sale: Friday, Saturday 10-7:00; Sunday 10-3:00 pm
Yard Sale: Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14th 10-7 and Sunday June 15th 10-3:00 pm
655 Hudson River Rd. Halfmoon: Across from Lower Newtown Rd.
Antiques, tools and children’s item and more.
Announce Your Graduation/Party In The Express
H.O.P.E. Micro Chip Event
H.O.P.E. Pet Adoptions
Mumsey “Mum”
As featured on Pet Connection:
Mumsey is a fabulously sweet lap kitty. She is always purring and loves attention. Mumsey had a rough start— a friendly stray, struggling to raise her kittens in a Hudson Falls laundry mat parking lot, she did the very best she could until one lucky day they were all rescued. Her little ones have gone on to good homes and now, happy and healthy, “Mum” is looking for her forever family. Check out her beautiful tortie coloring and unique white tummy. Mumsey will join you each night on the bed for some snuggling and LOVES treats. If you need a little furry friend to keep your lap warm Mumsey is your gal. Will you be the one to give her another lucky day? Mumsey is 3 years old, up to date on her shots, spayed and has tested negative for FIV and feline leukemia.
For more adoptable pets, foster opportunities and low cost spay/neuter info, visit www.hopeanimalrescue.org and call us @ 518.428.2994
"Let Them Know There Is H.O.P.E."
Stillwater Youth Theatre Presents Disney’s High School Musical – by J. Dugan
The Stillwater Youth Theatre will be bringing Disney’s High School Musical to the stage at the Stillwater Area Community Center this weekend. Performances will take place on June 13 and 14th at 7pm and on June 15th at 2pm. Admission is only $8, with discounted $5 tickets for students and seniors. Children under three will be admitted for free.
Read the entire article in the June 12th issue of the Express.