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The Glens Falls-Lake George region's leading newspaper, serving Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga Counties since 1980.

12/16/2024

CHRONICLE EXCLUSIVE • Editor Mark Frost writes: Queensbury Hotel owner Ed Moore has purchased the former TD Bank property next-door for $1.2-million. He told The Chronicle the closing occurred Thursday, Dec. 12.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/ed-moore-buys-the-former-td-bank-drive-thru-property-for-1-2-million/

Mr. Moore said he has no specific plans for the property he said is nearly two acres stretching from Maple Street to Washington Avenue.

“Someday at some point we’ll probably do something with it — expand, do something.

“The first thing was just to secure the property because it’s so close to the Q and the Q is doing amazingly well and we can use the space — and also what would go next door if we didn’t do it?”

He said another priority was keeping the property on the tax rolls. “Many people called me” expressing concern about “taking this off the tax base. Listen, I’m gonna be the guy paying the taxes now but I truly believe it’s the best thing for the community.”

Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins attempted to have the City buy the property for the same $1.2-million Mr. Moore offered, but the Common Council narrowly rejected the mayor’s plan.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/ed-moore-buys-the-former-td-bank-drive-thru-property-for-1-2-million/

12/13/2024

WSWHE BOCES plans to close its three main educational operations in Hudson Falls, Saratoga and Glens Falls — and build a new $96 million facility on 25 acres off Northway Exit 16 in Wilton.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/boces-plan-rebuild-it-all-in-wilton-2027/

The Southern Adirondack Education Center on Dix Avenue in Hudson Falls and F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga would be closed and likely sold, and BOCES would no longer lease the former Sanford Street School in Glens Falls for its programs, BOCES superintendent Turina Parker tells The Chronicle.

If all goes as hoped, Dr. Parker said, “Construction would begin in October 2025, and we’d be welcoming students and staff to a more modern, centrally located facility by the fall of 2027.”

A flier published last month, entitled “Vision 2027: Future Focus Facilities Project,” says BOCES plans a 20-year lease on a site “within a mile of Exit 16.”

Dr. Parker declined to further identify the location.

BOCES plans to construct three buildings comprising a total 290,500 square feet — one for its Career and Technical Education programs, and two for Exceptional Learners in grades K-6 and 7-12.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/boces-plan-rebuild-it-all-in-wilton-2027/

12/12/2024

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

Today: A "Look" back to 80 years ago when LOOK magazine ran its famed photo series, dubbing Glens Falls "Hometown, USA." The more than 5,000 photos they took are now in Crandall Public Library’s Folklife Center. We've got samples in this week's issue, Mark Frost's perspective — and the library is doing a slide show on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m.

What else? GF Planning Board members praise Chris Patten’s apartment plan for the old Rite Aid site on Broad Street. BOCES aims to consolidate in Wilton and close its facilities in Hudson Falls, Saratoga and Glens Falls. Minky Mink’s new owner is a Chestertown native and client since age 15. Glens Falls takes aim at short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods. Romeo completes Whiteman Chevrolet purchase. Schuylerville upsets undefeated #1 team to win state football title. SUNY Adirondack Basketball on the rise. Glens Falls' first cannabis shop opens.

That's just some of it! Inside, tons more news, features and happenings. The Scoop. School Views. Numerous obituaries. Real Estate and Classifieds. The Crossword and Hocus Focus. The World's Greatest Advertisers — and, as always, The Chronicle's Famous Events Calendar, jam packed with holiday and other events.

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12/09/2024

In September Queensbury couple Ryan and Erin Connor’s EBRM Properties LLC bought the four-story 48,000 square foot Union Square building from long-time owner Tom O’Neill for $1,665,000.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/ryan-erin-connors-plans-for-union-square/

The former shirt factory at 2-15 Broad Street faces Broad, South and Pine Streets. Mr. O’Neill put it on the market last spring for $2.35 million.

The couple are RPI grads. Ryan graduated from South Glens Falls High School in 2003. Erin graduated from Queensbury that same year.
They have been renovating buildings since 2008. “We’ve kind of gotten to the point where it’s just part of what we do,” Mr. Connor said. “We’re just always doing something.”

The Connors own three properties, at 434, 440 and 444 Glen Street, former large homes that they’ve renovated over the years into 30 apartment units.

“We’re kind of at the point now where those are largely redone, which is why we were looking for our next project,” Mr. Connor said.

At Union Square, they plan to turn large sections of vacant space on the top two floors into 18 apartments, mostly one-bedroom and some two-bedroom.

They want to develop some usable commercial spaces to add a few more commercial tenants to the current dozen.

Mr. Connor said he “wants to find a use for everything” in the building. “There’s space that right now really has no use.”

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/ryan-erin-connors-plans-for-union-square/

Photo caption: Ryan Connor. His wife Erin wasn’t available for the photo. Chronicle photos/Ben Westcott

12/08/2024

Medical massage clinic Outta Sight Massotherapy, located in the Mount Royal Plaza on Route 9 in Queensbury, gets its name from the fact that one of its owners, Brianna Gregory, a 2008 Queensbury grad, is legally blind.

Now, after two years in business, Ms. Gregory, 34, and her fiance John Krieg, 33, are planning to open a new business called Blind Rock Wellness across the street at 17 Sweet Road, in a pair of buildings that previously served as storage for Total Lawn Care and a work space for equipment repair.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/blind-massage-therapist-plans-blind-rock-wellness-in-queensbury/

One of the main motivators for the move is that the new location is even closer to Ms. Gregory and Mr. Krieg’s nearby home than Outta Sight’s current office is.

“Crossing Route 9 is really scary,” Ms. Gregory said. “That’s the downfall of having [Outta Sight] over there. This building will eliminate that risk for me.”

She said 17 Sweet Road is “the end cap of the road that I own my house on, so it’s a two minute walk for us and I can go here myself. I can’t drive, so the accessibility…is very important to me.”

She said it’s also good for patients, noting that Outta Sight can only be accessed by walking up a long flight of stairs. With the new space, “Our main goal is to have accessibility for everybody,” she said.

Ms. Gregory bought the 0.55 acre Sweet Road property a year ago for $225,000. She said she’ll put up to $450,000 into it.

Rucinski Hall Architecture will be designing the project, which goes before Queensbury’s Planning Board on Dec. 19.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/blind-massage-therapist-plans-blind-rock-wellness-in-queensbury/

12/05/2024

It's snow time and we want to see your photos! Comment them below! ☃️

Will you take advantage of last night's snowfall?

12/05/2024

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

Our digital subscribers get a bonus Page 25 this week. Sign up now and you'll get it, too!

In this week's packed 24-pager: Ryan & Erin Connor's plans for Union Square.
The guys carrying on Pete Brock’s Small Business Challenge, to the tune of $100,000 a year benefitting Operation Santa.
Word from a poll watcher.
Mark Frost's Scoop: Presidential possibles in 2028.

Inside: Granville's Dancing Ewe looks to open in Saratoga — and seeks community investors. The lowdown on the $100,000 in Occupancy Tax corralled by Mayor Collins. Blind massage therapist plans 'Blind Rock Wellness' in Qby.

Live Nation at S**C says no more personal lawn chairs; rentals only.
GF football falls short in state semi’s.
Q&A answers: Did the election change anything permanently?

Plus: More news. TONS of holiday festivals, concerts and other happenings. School Views. Real Estate. Classifieds. The Crossword. Locally owned small businesses, The World's Greatest Advertisers. And, as always, The Chronicle's Famous Events Calendar.

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12/04/2024

Glens Falls children’s author Mary Jean DeSantis and illustrator Anthony Richichi are back with a second book, this time about the journey last year of a Norway Spruce on Main Street, Queensbury that became the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in Manhattan.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/their-book-on-the-qby-spruce-that-became-rockefeller-centers-christmas-tree/

The duo’s first book, Where Are You, Alfie?, told the story of the miniature Australian Shepherd lost when his family from Pittsburgh vacationed here — and then found safe after weeks of searching.

“I just want to share the stories,” Mary said. “You forget how much the community rallied” around Alfie and the Christmas Tree.

The 91st Tree from Queensbury extensively features Rockfeller Center Gardener Erik Pauze, who chose the tree as the destination’s 91st Christmas tree.

“I got my inspiration for the book after hanging out with Erik” as he took down the tree and moved it in New York, Mary said. “Erik was just so friendly and just so welcoming that I pretty much went every day and took so many pictures, and was just fascinated with the process.”

This year’s Rockfeller Center tree came from West Stockbridge, Mass.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/their-book-on-the-qby-spruce-that-became-rockefeller-centers-christmas-tree/

12/03/2024

Developer Sonny Bonacio’s team has started work on renovating the former Sandy’s Clam Bar, Hot Shots and “incubator” buildings at South and Elm Streets, key components of Glens Falls’s $10-million Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/bonacio-team-upbeat-starting-renovation-of-sandys-hot-shots-36-elm/

“What you’re seeing,” Bonacio spokesperson Larry Novik told The Chronicle, “is the beginning of Phase One, the Sandy’s building, which is 41 South Street, the former Hot Shots building at 45 South Street, and 36 Elm.

“All three of those buildings will be renovated more or less at the same time over the next 12 to 14 months.
Project manager Steve Liciardi added, “You know the condition of those buildings. There’s quite a bit of reconstruction that’s going to be required. Safe to say, they will, in the end, be historically renovated buildings with a new lease on a long life, with selective demo.”

Mr. Novik said, “We would never use the word ‘gut,’ because they don’t allow you to do that.”

Mr. Liciardi notes, “These are historic tax credit projects. We have to work very carefully under SHPA guidelines,” referring to the State Historic Preservation Act, pronounced like ship-ah.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/bonacio-team-upbeat-starting-renovation-of-sandys-hot-shots-36-elm/

11/30/2024

TODAY! Glens Falls Football (12-0) plays in the state Class B semifinals against Port Jervis (10-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Middletown.

They advanced to the game with a 49-20 win over Ogdensburg Free Academy Friday, November 22, at Potsdam High School.

11/27/2024

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

Today's huge, 32-page Thanksgiving issue talks turkey! - It says so right on the front page.

Leading this week: The South Glens Falls Holiday Parade, plus a full page of Mark Frost's pictures inside. Anthony and Mary Jean's new kids' book about the Rockefeller Christmas tree from Queensbury. Bonacio dives in to Phase One of its South & Elm Street projects — renovating the old Sandy's, Hot Shots and "Incubator" buildings. (Plus, we asked: What about the Sandy's sign?)

Maury Thompson on when streaking was hot, even here.
This year's 40th annual Hometown Thanksgiving in Glens Falls.
Jim Brock writes: Warren County Supervisors have gotten raises nearly every year; County responds.

That is just the front page!

Inside: More Thanksgiving doings, from the Gobble Wobble to Argyle's F.E.A.S.T. Festival of Trees. Lake George Lights Up with two promising new attractions. Washington County Fair's drive-through Holiday Lights....

Plus: Tons of news filling every available inch of this week's paper. More features and happenings. The Scoop. School Views. Classifieds and Real Estate. The Crossword and Hocus Focus. The World's Greatest Advertisers and — of course — The Chronicle's Famous Events Calendar.

We are grateful this Thanksgiving for the Community support that continues to make the Chronicle possible in our 45th year. Thank you, readers, advertisers, subscribers, letter writers, those who offer tips and tell us their stories, School Views kids and teachers, our staff and contributors. Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember: Get it in your email every week, free: Subscribe to the digital!

11/26/2024

Cathy DeDe writes: If you’ve been to Adirondack Thunder hockey games, you know Billy Floyd.

In his sweet suits, white sneaks and endless smiles, he bounds around Cool Insuring Arena, running trivia and other between-period contests on the Jumbotron, high-fiving little kids, shooting T-shirts into the crowd, raising the audience energy level to 11.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/billy-floyd-thunders-locked-in-vibe-maker/

Who is this 28-year-old of the Prince Charming good looks, eye-to-eye connection and seemingly endless enthusiasm?

Does he really wake up “happy every day,” as Thunder president and Cool Arena director Jeff Mead tells The Chronicle, “I truly believe.”

Son of TV6 anchor Greg Floyd

Billy’s dad Greg Floyd is Albany evening news anchor for Channel 6, WRGB.

Billy says his parents met “sharing the desk at a television station in Kingston.”

Mom, Nina Anastos Floyd, is now a personal trainer. Among Billy’s many, many side gigs, the two post a mother-son fitness routine on Instagram every Monday.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/billy-floyd-thunders-locked-in-vibe-maker/

11/25/2024

Ben Westcott writes: Glens Falls Football (12-0) advanced to the state Class B semifinals with a 49-20 win over Ogdensburg Free Academy Friday night at Potsdam High School. Glens Falls next plays Port Jervis (10-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Middletown.

Glens Falls scored 34 of its points Friday in the first half, taking a 34-6 lead into halftime.

“We had a great first half with lots of big plays,” Glens Falls Head Coach Pat Lilac said. “We are very excited to be moving on.”

Lilac’s son Oscar Lilac, a senior, achieved a rare feat, scoring a touchdown on offense, defense, and special teams, all in one quarter. A hat trick!

In the second quarter, Lilac caught a 29 yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Brody Holcomb. Later in the second, he returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown. He capped the quarter off with a 90 yard kick return TD.

Holcomb completed 13 of 19 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Kellen Driscoll led with 154 receiving yards on eight catches, including a 47 yard touchdown. And junior Jordan Baker led with 166 yards on the ground on 24 carries, scoring two touchdowns on 21 and 2 yard runs.

📸: Glens Falls High School Instagram

11/22/2024

CHRONICLE EXCLUSIVE • Zander Frost reports: The Romeo family, who operate Romeo Toyota on Broad Street and Carriage Traders in South Glens Falls, are buying Whiteman Chevrolet on Dix Avenue, The Chronicle has learned.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/romeo-buying-whiteman-chevy/

Mike Romeo confirmed the purchase plan. He said Tuesday completion of the sale is expected in early December, and that Chevrolet has approved transfer of the new car franchise.

Amy Whiteman Brown, the dealer-principal at Whiteman Chevrolet, told The Chronicle, “I think it’s great for the future of the dealership.”

“The Romeos are a great family. They love the automobile business. There’s generations and generations to come. I think it was a great fit. My family has known the Romeo family for probably 40 years.”

Amy said, “I think it’s going to be a great thing for the community. I think it’s going to be a great thing for the current employees. So I think it’s all positive.”

Whiteman is a long-term staple of Glens Falls. “We’ve been here since 1956,” Amy said. “My grandfather started it, and then my father and I’ve been running it [for] 20 years.”

“This wasn’t something that my father and I thought of very lightly,” she said. “It was a pretty heartfelt decision that we made, and we’re comfortable with who is purchasing it.”

The feeling is mutual. Mike said, “I think my dad’s been doing business with them for 35 years.”

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/romeo-buying-whiteman-chevy/

11/21/2024

FIRST IN THE CHRONICLE: Zander Frost & Ben Westcott Report: Dr. Robert Hunnicutt seeks to open Bay Road Animal Hospital at 319 Bay Road in Queensbury.

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/dr-robert-hunnicutt-plans-animal-hospital-on-bay-in-queensbury/

Dr. Hunnicutt purchased the property. His plans go before the Queensbury Planning Board in December.

The unoccupied building was most recently Convenient Medical Care and was built originally as Stan’s Seafood.

Originally from South Carolina, Dr. Hunnicutt told The Chronicle he moved here in 2015 with his wife who is originally from the area.

He said he practiced at Adirondack Animal Hospital in Queensbury from 2015 to 2019, working “with Dr. Glendening.”

He currently works at Greenfield Animal Hospital and Northway Emergency Clinic as he prepares for this step.

“I’m doing everything I can to make this a reality,” he said, saying he’s working hard to put together the funding for the project.

Dr. Hunnicutt lives in Queensbury, and he plans to offer a local-focused private veterinary service.

“I’m just excited to get back in the area and provide good medicine, and alleviate some of the strain” facing veterinarians, he said. He said Covid “pounded” the veterinary field from different angles.

“The shortage in the veterinary field — there’s all kinds of crazy stuff happening,” he said.

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/dr-robert-hunnicutt-plans-animal-hospital-on-bay-in-queensbury/

11/21/2024

Chronicle Thursday! Get this edition digitally FREE: https://mailchi.mp/loneoak/chronicledigitalfree

"Page One is pulsating!," Mark Frost says

The Romeo family is buying Whiteman Chevrolet — another Chronicle Zander exclusive!

Cathy profiles Billy Floyd: The Thunder’s ‘Locked In’ vibe maker

Ben reports: Sticker Mule CEO in Amsterdam — high profile Trump backer — seeks Elise Stefanik’s Congress seat

The South Glens Falls Holiday Parade is this Sunday

Inside: Why Ben Lapham shaved his head. Why the CFO of Ronald McDonald House Charity in Albany was fired. Why Salem’s supervisor cast the sole no vote against Washington County’s new Elections Commissioner — and Why Queensbury At-Large Supervisor Brad Magowan left the room

An animal hospital wants to open in the former Convenient Medical Care building on Bay Road near Hannaford. 11-0 Glens Falls football is on to the Regionals. Tractor Parade in Greenwich. Paul Smith’s holiday lights on Clayton Ave, GF

Warren County Supervisors give themselves a raise — first since 2015. Lake Luzerne Supervisor Gene Merlino, 80, won’t run again. Mayor Collins gets $100,000 in Occupancy Tax money to promote events and make a website.

More: Homelessness and ‘day spenders’ — how The Open Door and WAIT House see it. Ex-Lake George Coach blames ‘toxic masculinity’ for football sexual misconduct incident. Matt Simpson warns the State may cut rural school funding. Thanksgiving meals and Turkey Trots.

All this and all your favorite features: The Scoop. School Views. Classifieds and Real Estate. The Crossword and Hocus Focus. The world's greatest advertisers! And — of course — The Chronicle's Famous Events Calendar!

Thank you for reading The Chronicle
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Sign up for the digital

11/19/2024

Ben Westcott writes: Glens Falls Football, still undefeated, won the Section II Class B championship Saturday with a 20-14 victory over Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (8-3) at Shenendehowa High School.

The Black Bears (11-0) came back from a 14-6 halftime deficit. Junior running back Jordan Baker ran for two third quarter touchdowns, of 3 and 15 yards, to give Glens Falls the lead and the victory. Baker ran the ball 26 times for 145 yards in the game.

Glens Falls scored its only points of the first half in the first quarter when senior receiver Kellen Driscoll caught an eight yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Brody Holcomb. The Black Bears’ extra point attempt was blocked.
Holcomb completed 7 of 15 passes for 122 yards in the win. Senior Oscar Lilac led Glens Falls in receiving yards with 93 yards on four catches.

Glens Falls moves on to play in the state quarterfinals this Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at Potsdam High School against Ogdensburg Free Academy (9-1).

11/18/2024

Chronicle Staff Writer Ben Westcott reports: Time Served, the bar & grill in Comstock across from Great Meadow, held a “Prison Funeral” last Wednesday, the correctional facility’s final day, so people could “come have a drink and share some stories.”

READ: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/time-served-bar-across-the-road-held-a-great-meadow-prison-funeral/

Shortly after the “funeral” started at 3 p.m. the inside of the bar and the outside patio area were packed.

Time Served is owned by Rich and Lorraine Straub, 78 and 79 years old, respectively. They founded the bar 17 years ago, and live in the building.

“The reason we’re holding this is to talk about how this is impacting our communities,” Mrs. Straub said at the event. “We have several families that the husband or wife has been displaced, and [now having to work] several hours from here. So it’s making it difficult for them to be a family unit, like when they worked here.”

“There’s several families that live in Granville, and being displaced puts them at a disadvantage, because they’ve got to figure out what they’re going to do, whether they’re going to move, take their kids out of school that just started up.”

READ THE REST: https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/time-served-bar-across-the-road-held-a-great-meadow-prison-funeral/

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Videos

🚨 BREAKING: United States Speaker of the House Mike Johnson told Fox News tonight that President-elect Donald Trump will hold a rally here "if necessary" in support of the Republican seeking to succeed Representative Elise Stefanik. Rep. Stefanik has been nominated to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations. If Rep. Stefanik is confirmed, a special election will be held to elect a new representative for New York's 21st district. NY-21 includes Glens Falls, Queensbury Lake George, Plattsburgh, Rome, and Potsdam.

This footage, shared exclusively with The Chronicle by @realizebrokers_ shows a car on fire in the Queensbury Garvey Volkswagen parking lot after Tuesday evening's severe storm. The City of Glens Falls has declared a state of emergency, citing downed trees, power lines, and flooding.

AFTERMATH of the fire at Lake George Village bandstand. STORY: A fire severely damage the Lake George Village bandstand in Shepard Park early this morning. Cathy DeDe video. “It’s a total loss. I’m just trying to save the summer,” Lake George Village Mayor Ray Perry told The Chronicle. Mayor Perry said the fire started just after 3 a.m. It was called in by a person “seeking shelter for the evening in the structure” at 3:42 a.m. The Mayor said the police have ruled the caller out as a suspect and are investigating to determine the cause of the fire. The structure was renovated in 2017. Concerts are planned all summer. A concert was scheduled for last night, but it was moved to the Lake George High School due to the weather. Deputy Mayor Joseph Mastrodomenico, Jr. posted on Facebook, “Is a sad day for Lake George residences , tourists, and music lovers. The Shepherd Park amphitheater had a tragic ending today, we will do what we can as soon as we can To somehow make our summer activities continue. In Shepherd Park.” Share

🌊🌊🌊 THE Glens Falls were ROARING yesterday. Did you see it? 📹- Mark Frost

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The Glens Falls-Lake George region's leading newspaper, serving Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga Counties since 1980. Locally owned, locally committed. We love Thursdays.