Archive » April 2021 » News

GCSD works with FBI to investigate cyber attack

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“Our community can rest assured that we are taking all appropriate precautions to restore our systems in a safe and secure manner and we will be incorporating additional technologies into our cybersecurity program as we move forward,” said Guilderland Superintendent Marie Wiles.

County notes disparity on vaccination rates, based on race and ruralness

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Instead of putting its effort into mass clinics, where sign-up has plummeted, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said, the county is going to work with community partners to reach people where they are.

Guilderland library loses half its revenue but keeps budget on an even keel

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The library’s director, Timothy Wiles, believes the confluence of the pandemic shutdown with construction work on an $8 million expansion project has resulted in a “great success” — he expects construction work will be completed 11 months early, by Aug. 31, 2021 rather than the original end date of July 2022.

Berne’s controversial dog-control officer resigns, leaving fired officer to handle dog-shooting incident

by Noah Zweifel

Berne’s former dog-control officer, Jodi Jansen, resigned shortly after a lost-dog incident in which the Albany County Sheriff’s Office could not reach him.

Guilderland High School

GCSD suffers cyber attack, moves to remote learning

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — In-person classes for Guilderland students in seventh through 12th grades will be postponed again on Tuesday as the district works to repair damage done by a cyber attack on its computer systems.

Berne restructures code enforcement office to hire three building inspectors

by Noah Zweifel

Berne’s three new building inspectors will split the allotted time once used by James Bushnell, who resigned as Berne’s building inspector earlier this year, plus hours given up by Code Enforcement Officer Chance Townsend.

Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen

County and state try new strategies to reach the unvaccinated

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Albany County is shifting its focus to have more community-based pop-up clinics. It has also launched an Instagram challenge, #IGot Mine,” to encourage young residents to get vaccinated.

Dunnsville Road solar project: once controversial, now amenable

by Sean Mulkerrin

The proposed five-megawatt solar array on Dunnsville Road still has to be sent to the Altamont-Guilderland Referral Committee because proposals for town projects within 1,200 feet of the village boundary or within 1,200 feet of Altamont’s current or future water system must be referred to the village for a recommendation. 

Carey Institute conservation easement moves forward amid local pushback

by Noah Zweifel

An easement, negotiated with the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization that stewards natural lands in the Capital District, is designed to restrict development on the Carey Institute’s 100-acre campus, which is up for sale, but a local grassroots movement is seeking stricter terms.

GCSD proposes $105M budget, includes diversity administrator

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

After a lengthy and stunningly frank conversation about racism in the Guilderland schools, the school board here added a full-time post for an administrator who will oversee diversity, equity, and inclusion in the district.

Week LVIII: Vaccine clinics open up for walk-ins as supply exceeds demand

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

While Albany County hit the halfway mark — 50 percent — on Wednesday of residents having received at least one shot, there were also concerns about more deaths.

Dunnsville Road solar project: once controversial, now amenable

by Sean Mulkerrin

The proposed five-megawatt solar array on Dunnsville Road still has to be sent to the Altamont-Guilderland Referral Committee because proposals for town projects within 1,200 feet of the village boundary or within 1,200 feet of Altamont’s current or future water system must be referred to the village for a recommendation. 

In split vote, New Scotland to hire its first planner

by Sean Mulkerrin

There had been discussion for some time about bringing the New Scotland Building Department, “essentially [into] the 21st Century, where we have more of a planner handling some of the planner duties. Because in our town, historically, with our zoning, the building inspector has handled all of these duties,” Councilman William Hennessy said.

Vaccine slots available as another county resident dies of COVID-19

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“The only way we will be able to prevent future tragedies, to protect the ones we love and return to any sense of normalcy, is to get vaccinated,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.

Commissioner: ‘Be vaccinated to protect your loved ones’

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Starting next Monday, April 26, museum and zoo capacity will be raised to 50 percent, and theater capacity will go to 33 percent. On May 19, capacity at sports arenas will be raised to 25 percent, Cuomo announced.

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