Archive » February 2022 » News

VCSD budget up 4.4% for next year

by Sean Mulkerrin

Currently, the Voorheesville Central School District is not projecting a budget deficit in 2022-23, unusual in a first-draft spending proposal. 

New York Governor lifts school mask mandate, starting March 2

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The announcement follows changes in federal guidance on mask-wearing, announced on Friday, which Hochul said “surprised a lot of people.” Mask requirements remain in effect “for the time being,” Hochul said, in state-regulated health-care settings, state-regulated adult-care facilities and nursing homes, in correctional facilities, in homeless shelters, and in domestic violence shelters.

GCSD to sell Cobblestone Schoolhouse

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The Guilderland School Board’s Feb. 15 resolution says the Cobblestone Schoolhouse property “is declared to be of no further use or value to the District and in fact, continued ownership of Property is fiscally detrimental to the District.” The resolution goes on to authorize listing the property for sale or auction.

CDC changes guidance: No masks needed in Albany County

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Another Albany County resident, a man in his nineties, died of COVID-19 on Thursday, according to a Friday morning release from Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy. This brings Albany County’s COVID-19 death toll to 528.

Eight non-fatal hunting incidents in 2021

Following are descriptions of the eight non-fatal hunting incidents recorded by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation in 2021.

Small-game hunting:

2021 had the safest NYS hunting seasons on record

The 2021 hunting seasons in New York were the safest ever, with the lowest number of hunting-related shooting incidents, since record-keeping began, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.

All hospitals in NYS can now perform elective procedures

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

As the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to plummet from the mid-January Omicron peak, both statewide and in Albany County, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that all hospitals across the state can now perform elective procedures. The state had kept a list of hospitals, which Albany Medical Center was initially on, where staffed bed capacity was less than 10 percent, meaning elective procedures couldn’t be performed.

Area residents come out against proposed contractor yard in rural Guilderland

by Sean Mulkerrin

Bernard Radtke of B&B Containers has asked the Guilderland ZBA to approve a special-use permit that would allow him to store roll-off containers, trucks, and heavy equipment at 4304 Frederick Road. 

Water woes present challenge for 41-lot subdivision proposed off of Gun Club Road

by Sean Mulkerrin

Development Planning Committee meetings, Guilderland Town Planner Kenneth Kovalchik explained on Feb. 16, are a first chance for various department staff to provide feedback to project developers before any formal steps are taken.

Beth Davis says: ‘Books can be your friend’

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

BERNE — Beth Davis has fulfilled a lifetime dream.

She was one of just eight school librarians from across the United States to serve on the William C. Morris Young Adult Debut Award Committee for 2022.

Mitzen plans to raze three, raise two Voorheesville buildings

by Sean Mulkerrin

Three properties near Voorheesville Village Hall — 40, 42, and 43 South Main St. — have had, or are due to have, their current on-site building demolished to make way for a new restaurant, café, and parking lot. 

Week CII: County looks at health equity in light of the pandemic

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy opened his Feb. 21 Black History Month forum by saying he was proud that the county had brought COVID-19 testing into minority communities and also partnered with an ambulance company to bring vaccines to residents. According to the county’s records, a disproportionate number of white, rather than Black or Hispanic, residents died of COVID-19.

BKW set to acquire Nurse Martin’s office pending district vote

by Noah Zweifel

Nurse practitioner Jill Martin’s current medical office at 1772 Helderberg Trail is likely to be purchased by the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school district, which must first put the issue up for referendum. Martin is currently building a new office down the road.

Chef Dan at Jake Moon

Jake Moon restaurant to become pizzeria and deli under new owner

by Noah Zweifel

The Clarksville restaurant that had generated a following for its down-home fare is undergoing renovations and will become an upscale pizzeria and deli under its new owner, Chris Smith, the Albany County legislator who also owns the Hilltown restaurant Maple on the Lake.

After hubbub, Phillips puts hardware sign request on hold as he seeks variance for minimart sign

by Sean Mulkerrin

Phillips Hardware in January was looking to post four signs that would total 128 square feet in area — well above what’s allowed by town law. That request met with unanimous pushback from Guilderland’s zoning board, which led to Phillips halving its ask earlier this month, a request that found a more receptive audience. But at the Feb. 16 meeting, Phillips requested its application be shelved. 

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