Jeff Thomas, four other parents, file federal lawsuit over mask mandates

The state Department of Health filed an emergency regulation, which became effective on Aug. 27, that requires all students, faculty, and staff of all public and private schools in the state to wear masks inside school buildings.

Opinion

Paid sick leave is fundamental to a healthy economy

The United States is one of the few developed countries without universal sick-leave coverage; working sick is an ongoing problem reinforcing the spread of COVID-19, a Cornell study finds. The study cites research showing that gaining access to emergency sick leave during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced infection rates by about 15,000 per day in April and May of 2020.

Guilderland

Weed, waste, and conflicts-of-interest on Altamont’s October agenda

The Altamont Board of Trustees voted on Sept. 7 to hold a public hearing on Oct. 5 for a proposed law that would have Altamont opt out of allowing retail dispensaries or licenses for on-site consumption of marijuana, set an Oct. 19 budget workshop on sewer-rate increases, and also declined to immediately OK a conflict-of-interest waiver for the village’s attorney.

Sports

Photos: BKW, Voorheesville, And Guilderland Run Fast In the Blackbird Invitational

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, September 11th, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Guilderland, and Voorheesville cross-country teams took part in the Blackbird Invitational at Swift Town Park in New Scotland. The Voorheesville girls won the Division 2 title, the boys took 12th.

Regional

Week LXXX: Vaccine manufacturers release studies

Johnson & Johnson reports a second shot improves efficacy to 100 percent protection against critical COVID-19.

New Scotland

Voorheesville Main Street sewer project becoming a reality

Design of a village sewer project is nearing completion and “hopefully” construction would commence in 2023, Kathryn Serra, an engineer with C.T. Male Associates, said during a recent public meeting on the project.

Hilltowns

Helderberg Lake Community Association seeks funding for dam repairs

The Helderberg Lake Community Association’s current petition to the town requests that the town front the cost of dam repairs — up to $500,000 — which would then be paid back by lake residents and those with lake access through the creation of a special tax district.