Archive » November 2014 » News

Hit by insurance costs, $2M budget strains for tax rebates

by Marcello Iaia

Rensselaerville's 2015 plan raises taxes for the general and highway funds by 1.3 percent, about half the increase first proposed when the board planned to override the state-set tax cap.

County-wide efficiency study starts for tax-rebate plan

by Marcello Iaia

The study commissioned by the county comptroller's office is using an advisory committee, hoping to avoid the perception of an imposition.

GCSD tackles teen drug abuse

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Guilderland High school Assistant Principal Ann-Marie McManus said the school wants to be the first stop for prevention and intervention when it comes to illegal drug use.

'When in Rome': don't ever underestimate anyone

by Marcello Iaia

The musical comedy set in Ancient Rome will be performed at Berne-Knox-Westerlo on Nov. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and on the 23rd at 3 p.m.

Police, doctors, parents, educators fighting drugs but losing the war

by Anne Hayden Harwood

GUILDERLAND — Five panelists at a heroin and opiate education forum on Wednesday agreed that the war on drugs is being lost and the biggest problems are with prevention and treatment.

V'ville a Blue Ribbon school

by Jo E. Prout

VOORHEESVILLE — Students and teachers created a sea of blue last week as they assembled to celebrate Voorheesville Elementary School’s designation as a Blue Ribbon School.
“You make it a Blue Ribbon School,” said Principal Thomas Reardon. “That’s why you’re wearing a ribbon.”

ZBA moves a foundation and a subdivision forward

by Jo E. Prout

NEW SCOTLAND — The zoning board of appeals on Tuesday unanimously granted a temporary use variance for the construction of just a foundation of a building on land that has not yet received approval from Albany County Department of Health, effectively closing a public hearing held open for two months.

Saia appointed to the VCSD board

by Jo E. Prout

VOORHEESVILLE — The school board here appointed local parent Doreen Saia to the board on Monday to fill the spot vacated by Kristine Gravino in September.

Also, the board heard a presentation by Voorheesville Elementary School Principal Thomas Reardon about the VES spirit program for students.

Photos: Randy wins

Absentee ballots were opened on Wednesday morning to decide the winner of the close race for highway superintendent in Berne, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 3 to 1. The Republican won by 26 votes. "The fat lady has sung," said the Democratic Party chairman.

A mother's story of agony over her son's death, by his own hand in the county jail

by Anne Hayden Harwood and Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — A grieving mother wants her son’s death to be a wakeup call for the county jail.

Jail super: 'Staff does a good job protecting inmates from suicide'

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Adam Rappaport’s suicide last month in the Albany County jail embodies two nationwide problems for inmates today — drug addiction and self-harm.

School board forges ahead with bids on full $17M project

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Discussion on stagnant resources and too much space did not deter the school board from deciding to bid in January the work for upgrading all seven of the district's school buildings.

County legislator and boyfriend found guilty of trespassing

by Marcello Iaia

Deborah Busch, who represents a portion of the Hilltowns, said the experience demonstrated to her government failure, and malice and changed her views on the death penalty.

Author retraces O'Connell kidnapping history

by Jo E. Prout

Author James Dunn found a family connection to the famous O’Connell kidnapping of the 1930s while doing a genealogy search. His 12-year study of the kidnapping — during which he obtained declassified Federal Bureau of Investigation documents — led Dunn to write a novelized account of the kidnapping.

Singing songs that raised a rebellion

by Jo E. Prout

Local performers will take the stage next week to bring to life the events of the anti-rent struggle that took place in our region nearly 175 years ago.

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