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National movement grips rural Rensselaerville as more than 100 march for racial equity

by Noah Zweifel

On June 14, over 100 people marched in Rensselaerville to support the Black Lives Matter movement and denounce racism nearly a month after George Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. The turnout left co-organizer John Arrighi “blown away,” and reflects the massive support for racial justice seen in predominantly white communities following Floyd’s death.

Activities at ‘ramshackle’ motel concern neighbors

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Neighbors of the motel at 2019 Western Ave. were worried by “a large police presence” there on June 8, which police say “was a domestic incident with reports of shots fired inside” but investigation found “no evidence of any gunshots.”

VCSD: $26M budget passes with ease; three elected to school board

by Sean Mulkerrin

Nearly 75 percent of Voorheesville School District voters approved a $26 million budget for 2020-21, while there will be a lot of new school board members to oversee it. 

Week XIV: As the Capital Region enters Phase 3, vigilance still urged

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“I think people need to realize that reopening is not flicking an ‘on’ switch. It’s a dial of continuum,” said Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen on Wednesday as the Capital Region entered the third of four reopening phases.

Brawling returns as Burlington Coat Factory reopens

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Mall brawls, a problem that had ceased with the shutdown of Crossgates Mall, has reemerged as mall stores with outdoor entrances reopen.

GPD ready for ‘brand new’ challenge of modernizing strategies

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

As the governor is requiring municipal police departments to come up with reform plans based on community input, Guilderland’s deputy chief, Curtis Cox, says his department has always welcomed public input, and already trains on strategies like de-escalation and has an anti-racial-profiling policy.

With Phase 3, about 90% of jobs in county will be open

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“Enforcement goes down to the consumers and the workers,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.

Westerlo Town Board authorizes laying off two highway workers 

by Noah Zweifel

The Westerlo Town Board voted, 3 to 2, to authorize Highway Superintendent Jody Ostrander to lay off two of seven highway workers at his discretion. The vote comes after three weeks of debate over where the town can make cuts to balance the anticipated loss of sales-tax revenue because of the coronavirus shutdown.

Local politicians, businesses call on governor to reopen indoor malls

by Sean Mulkerrin

While many retailers were allowed to reopen as part of Phase 2, businesses in large malls without their own exterior entrances were excluded.

Governor to local governments: It’s up to you to stop spread of COVID-19

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The Capital Region is on track to start Phase 3 reopening on Wednesday.

Starting Wednesday, up to 25 people will be able to gather as Capital Region enters Phase 3

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

As the Capital Region is on the cusp of entering the third of four reopening phases, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that residents of Phase 3 regions may gather in groups of 25 rather than the previous maximum of 10.

County youth can play ball on July 6

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The governor has announced that low-risk youth sports can start July 6 for regions in Phase 3. Albany County, as part of the Capital Region, is slated to begin Phase 3 reopening on Wednesday.

New York State has lowest transmission rate for COVID-19 of any state in the nation

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

New York State, the governor said, which had the highest per capita COVID-19 infection rate in the United States and in the world now has the lowest transmission rate in the nation.

Albany County maintains AA rating from S&P

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The county’s comptroller, Susan Rizzo, announced at Friday’s county press briefing that, as part of a recent refinancing, Standard & Poor’s has assessed Albany County’s credit worthiness, and reaffirmed its rating of AA “with a stable outlook while other municipalities were downgraded due to the pandemic.” She said the refinancing will save taxpayers over $1 million.

Pools, garage sales, and outdoor cocktails get green light

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced, starting Thursday, that the state is allowing localities to open public pools and playgrounds at their discretion while following state guidance. Cuomo said of local governments, “They have to use their judgment here … They should be studying the test data, they should be looking at those positives and see where the positives are coming from. If the positives are in a cluster, a neighborhood that has that pool, don't open the pool.”

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