Archive » September 2017 » News

Video: Three DOT trucks on fire

by Sean Mulkerrin
David and Anita Sperbeck, who live near the state’s Department of Transportation facility in Voorheesville, were awakened in the early hours of Friday morning and took video of the three trucks that were burning at the facility, at the intersection of routes 156 and 85A near the village’s roundabout.

Guilderland tax revolt: Residents outraged over tax increase due to state-set rate

by Elizabeth Floyd Mair

Guilderland residents were up in arms and out in full force at Tuesday’s town board meeting, asking the board to help them fight the new state-set equalization rate for the town that has seen the rates of some town residents who live in other school districts rise almost 19 percent.

Planning board alternate steps in, looking to listen and learn.

by Sean Mulkerrin

Robert Davies stepped in following JoAnne Davies departure from the planning board. Amid much new development, he now looks to help shape New Scotland’s future.  

Altamont Elementary to get new kindergarten section

by Elizabeth Floyd Mair

Parents are also urging the board to reconsider their guidelines for class size before the next budget session, to avoid future problems.

Weekend backpacks a lifeline for hungry students and their families

by Elizabeth Floyd Mair

Three local school districts — Guilderland, Voorheesville, and Berne-Knox-Westerlo — send backpacks of food home on the weekend with students who might not otherwise have enough to eat. The programs are funded by donations from PTAs, church and community groups, and individuals.

BKW Board approves two props for capital projects

by H. Rose Schneider

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education is putting up for a Nov. 2 vote two propositions for capital projects — for $15 million and $5 million. After a lengthy debate over whether the capital project was a “blank check” or a means of improving student education, three board members voted yes, one voted no, and one abstained.

Town board discusses access, transparency, and signs

by Sean Mulkerrin

An Albany resident wants to help residents get more transparency from government, but without access to cable services, which could be difficult.

County panel of leaders adopt shared-services plan to save $9.7M over several years

by H. Rose Schneider

Albany County’s adopted-shared services plan includes eight proposals, ranging from shared health insurance to joint utility purchases.

At BKW, students explore the many facets of agriculture with a new teacher

by H. Rose Schneider

At Berne-Knox-Westerlo, a new program will teach students the many aspects of agriculture, from water pH to horse care.

Guilderland Police to get body and car cameras

by Elizabeth Floyd Mair

The town board this week approved spending $77,000 to outfit the town’s uniformed police officers with car and body cameras.

After rape charge, Cobb pleads guilty to unlawful imprisonment

by Elizabeth Floyd Mair

Jonathan Cobb is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 18 in Albany County Court to spending weekends in jail for a year and spending five years on probation with sex-offender conditions.

Sheriff looks to prevention and treatment rather than just enforcement

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Albany County deaths from heroin overdoses have doubled, according to Sheriff Craig Apple. “We’re more likely to maintain sobriety when we receive support from society,” the sheriff said at a Sept. 13 forum. “I was a lock-’em-up guy 10 years ago. We lost."

Using new technology, Beckmann raises an old barn in a day — finishing the project may take a lifetime

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Christopher Beckmann is saving a piece of local agrarian history by making a Civil-War era barn into his home.

Michael Rozell

Rozell gets six years for attempted burglary

BETHLEHEM — Michael Rozell, 37, of Delmar was sentenced on Tuesday to six years in state prison, to be followed by five years of probation.

On Aug. 1, Rozell pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted burglary, a felony.

He was sentenced on Tuesday by Judge William A. Carter in Albany County Court.

County sets up hotline for Dreamers

Albany County has set up a hotline for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program recipients to call for assistance from the county’s Regional Immigration Assistance Center.

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