Week in review - 1/25

A fire displaced 10 residents at 153 Grand Ave. early on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 23.

Police blocked off sections of road surrounding the four-unit home as the investigation continued throughout Wednesday.

In response to the fire, some local businesses are lending a hand.

The Local, a new pub across the street from the lost house, is holding the 153 Grand Ave. Relief Fund from noon to midnight on Sunday, Jan. 27. The Local is located at 142 Grand Ave.

The fundraiser is being sponsored by The Local, DeCerescente, Saratoga Eagle, Southern Wine & Spirits, Empire Beverage and SYSCO Foodservice.

All proceeds of the donated liquor, beer and chicken wing sales will go to the fund and there will also be a silent auction.

For those that cannot attend, there is a “relief fund bucket” at The Local.

The participating businesses in the silent auction are: Allerdice, Gotchyas, Beekman Bistro, Tiznow, Mexican Connection, Westside Stadium, Rena’s Fine Flowers, Mimosa (handmade handbag), Price Chopper, two all-day passes to Sugarbush (unrestricted) and more. (silent auction winners to be announced at 8 p.m.)

Contact Mike or Rena to donate cash or silent auction items: Mike at 361-2827 orRena at 727-6742

Bronx man charged

Six years after the execution-style murder of a New Jersey man, police have charged a Bronx man in connection to the death.

Roger Aletras, 35, was charged and has been in federal prison on other charges.

Aletras and Kevin D. Arkenau Jr., 25, of New Jersey allegedly robbed two men of 50 pounds of marijuana and a car in South Burlington, Vt. on Dec. 16, 2002. Their next stop was the former Sheraton Hotel in Saratoga Springs.

Hotel workers found the body of Arkenau on Dec. 17. Aletras could face the death penalty if convicted.

City man could face 25 years in prison

An indictment was returned this past week against a Spa City man accused of robbing the Saratoga National Bank on South Broadway on June 7, 2007.

Michael G. Suprenant, 50, of 130 ½ Broadway, Lot 10, was arrested a short time after the robbery. He was charged with first-degree robbery and third-degree grand larceny. If convicted, Suprenant could receive up to 25 years in state prison.

The robbery was the first of two in less than a month in Saratoga Springs last summer.

Johnson vows to fight for VLT revenue

The mayor of the city issued a release criticizing Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to cut the video lottery terminal (VLT) revenue for Saratoga Springs.

Mayor Scott Johnson said he had predicted the revenue over the next few years would be cut and eventually reduced to nothing by 2010.

In Johnson’s campaign for mayor, he stated the city could no longer rely heavily on the VLT funding.

“Gov. Spitzer’s assertion that Saratoga Springs does not deserve its rightful share of the VLT funding is simply wrong,” Johnson said in the release. “It is pretty clear to me that he is playing political games with his foes, specifically, Senator Bruno. However, he is really playing games with the residents of Saratoga Springs. For years, the Senator has been an asset to our community and it was his hard work last year that restored the funding when Spitzer previously tried to take it away. With concerted effort this year, I’m optimistic we’ll maintain our entitlement.”

The state budget is still in the beginning stages and Johnson said he will not stop until Saratoga Springs receives its share of VLT funding.

Johnson concluded the release by saying the Spa City should not lose its rightful revenue due to New York State’s inability and inefficiency in balancing its budgets.

Doern receives two endorsements

Jim Doern, who is running for Saratoga Springs City Judge, received endorsements

from the Northeastern Police Conference and from the Police Conference of New York for the City Court judgeship. Both of these agencies have the Saratoga Springs PBA as a member.

“I am very grateful to President Richard Wells of the Police Conference of New York and to James Carter President of the Northeastern Police Conference,” Doern said in a press release. “It is an honor to be supported by these prestigious Law Enforcement organizations.”

Man pleads insanity

Anthony DiSiena, 19, of 1254 Route 9P, Saratoga Springs, pleaded insanity on Wednesday, Jan. 23, to charges of attempted murder.

On April 17, DiSiena stabbed his 13-year-old brother in the chest and back without warning. The teenager wound up puncturing his sibling’s lung with a 13-inch steak knife; DiSiena’s brother has made a full recovery.

DiSiena has a history of mental illness, and has been getting treatment for an undisclosed illness for the past two years. Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III said the local man won’t face a criminal penalty for the incident.

Skidmore alum pleads guilty

Joseph Gaudrault, 43, pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court on Thursday, Jan. 24 to making a terrorist threat.

Gaudrault called Skidmore College, his alma mater, on May 11 and left a message on the school’s voice mail system. He allegedly threatened to appear on the campus and kill a number of people with a rifle.

The Massachusetts man is scheduled to be sentenced March 24. He could serve up to seven years in state prison for making the threat.