Archive » May 2021 » News

At the Big Eye: Pairs of artists display shared paintings

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The Big Eye Gallery is hosting an event on Saturday, May 15, when the public can meet artists who were invited to take a challenge called Paint and Switch.

Week LXI: County prepares to vaccinate youth while opening group meals for elderly

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

 On Wednesday night, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced, “Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. That decision followed a thorough review of data and FDA’s expansion of the emergency use authorization for this vaccine earlier this week.” He authorized providers to expand eligibility immediately.

Crossgates’ suits for back-rent mount as more businesses fold

by Sean Mulkerin

Since August of last year, Crossgates Mall has filed lawsuits against 15 tenants for millions of dollars in unpaid rent. 

Huyck Preserve imports silverflies to try to save hemlocks

RENSSELAERVILLE — Can a Pacific Northwest silverfly save eastern hemlocks in New York State? The Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville is leading the way in finding out.

Lupine Fest is online and in-person this year, with trail-gating on May 15

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is holding its annual Lupine Fest from May 15 to June 5 online at http://www.AlbanyLupineFest.org and with limited activities throughout the 3,350-acre preserve.

Red-carpet event replaces prom, and GHS grads will gather outdoors for commencement

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“It’s important for the community to know for the larger gatherings that folks are going to need to be vaccinated or have proof of a negative PCR test 72 hours before the ceremony or a rapid test six hours before the ceremony,” Superintendent Marie Wiles said, “unless guidance changes between now and June 25.”

Altamont and Voorheesville would feel impact of major rail deal

by Sean Mulkerin

An agreement between two major freight carriers calls for Norfolk Southern to foot the bill to reconnect to the CSX line in Voorheesville, which crosses over Main Street. In addition, Norfolk Southern will be rehabilitating the 15.5 miles of rail once known as the Voorheesville Running Track, which starts in Schenectady County, passes through Altamont, and terminates in Voorheesville.

At last, seniors can gather for meals at county sites

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The first of Albany County’s 17 congregate meal sites for seniors re-opened Monday as a pilot program in Watervliet. Other meal sites will open on May 17, June 1, and Sept. 1.

After cyber attack, GCSD ‘almost fully functional’ with upgraded screening

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

For teaching purposes, Guilderland uses Google, a cloud-based application, which wasn’t affected by the recent cyber attack, said Superintendent Marie Wiles. “Google Classroom and our Google accounts were all fine,” she said. “It’s more when things are housed on servers that people need to be careful.”

Relief for landlords delayed

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“The state has been sitting on almost a billion dollars since January,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, concluding, “I have landlords that call me all the time, text me, wonder where this money’s at.”

County urges coaches to be part of program to prevent child abuse

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Albany County will work with organizations from dance studios to karate dojos. “You have it, we want to work with you,” said Karen Ziegler, director of the county’s Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center. Anyone who is interested may call her at 518-447-7100. Coaches, teachers, and parents will be trained on how to identify and prevent child abuse.

County focuses on youth vaccination

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen said she has received word from the state’s health department on the “likelihood that in the next week the FDA will give the OK for the 12-to-15 age group.” Her department is preparing to vaccinate youth, communicating with local schools and pediatricians, urging the doctors to become certified vaccinators through the state’s Department of Health.

‘A glimpse of the past is always nice:’ New Picard’s Grove owners to hold generation-spanning sale

by Noah Zweifel

Valerie Glover, who, with her husband, Richard, purchased the historic Picard’s Grove property and placed 80 percent of it under a conservation easement, said that virtually all the proceeds of the sale will be put back into the property, which holds a farmhouse, barn, restaurant-and-dancehall, and other structures that are in need of repair.

As two vie for open library trustee seat: VPL budget down nearly 12%, but voters won’t spending plan on the ballot

by Sean Mulkerrin

In this week’s Enterprise library notes, Lynn Kohler writes that the Voorheesville Public Library’s $1.2 million budget for next year — which is down from $1.35 million this year — was developed without increasing property taxes and was approved by the board of trustees at its March 6 meeting.  “For this reason, Kohler writes, “a public vote on the budget is not required and will not appear on the 2021 ballot.”

Westerlo seeking more than $1.5 million in broadband funding from federal government

by Noah Zweifel

The funding would be secured through the United States Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program.

Pages