Archive » October 2022 » News

BPD: Identity-theft ring stole $100K

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

BETHLEHEM — Bethlehem Police have made four arrests to break up an identity-theft ring they say was responsible for stealing $100,000; the investigation is ongoing.

Owner of Curry Patta and Jeff Thomas spar over who’s to blame for restaurant’s closure

by Sean Mulkerrin

The ordeal started on social media and spilled into the real world this week.

County legislature rejects redistricting map

by Noah Zweifel

The reasoning, according to a letter addressed to the Albany County Redistricting Commission by county legislature leaders, was that by adding two majority-minority districts to the county’s existing five, the communities within them might have their collective voting power diminished.

Alicia Purdy

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — “One thing that we love in the United States of America is a great underdog story …,” says Republican Alicia Purdy. “This is why we go to movies like ‘Rocky’ … We want to see the little guy win.”

Patricia A. Fahy

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — “I’m a voice often for the voiceless,” said Democrat Patricia Fahy who is making her sixth run to represent the 109th District in the State Assembly.

State Assembly District 109: Stark differences between incumbent Democrat Patricia Fahy and Republican Alicia Purdy

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The two candidates have starkly divergent views on gun policies, abortion, and environmental issues. 

Week CXXXVI: Kids as young as 5 can now get bivalent boosters but only after full vaccination, which lags

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Reported vaccine uptake among children ages 5 to 11 and teenagers ages 12 to 17 has slowed in recent months, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, published on Sept. 30. Almost half of parents of kids ages 5 to 11 now report their child has gotten vaccinated.

State Senate District 46: Amedure and Breslin compete to fill vacuum

by Noah Zweifel

The current 46th Senate District is represented by Democrat Michelle Hinchey who, as a of redistricting, will be replaced by either State Senator Neil D. Breslin, a Democrat who currently represents the 44th District, or her opponent from 2020, Rich M. Amedure Jr., a former State Trooper running on the Republican and Conservative lines. 

At Crossgates Mall: Two different days, two suspects, two loaded handguns

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The suburban mall has a spotty history of weapon possession and violence.

GCSD has clean audit but, like other districts, growing liability for future retirees’ health benefits

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Guilderland’s independent financial audit for the year ending June 30, 2022 received “a clean audit opinion — that is the highest you can receive,” said Jill M. Thaisz, a certified public accountant and partner at West & Company CPAs.

Survey: How should Albany County spend $30M in federal funds?

ALBANY COUNTY — The county is surveying residents on how to spend $29.6 million, a second round of federal funds to help with recovery from the ongoing pandemic.

Having created ‘a library without walls’ during COVID, Carle is set to retire

by Noah Zweifel

Heidemarie Carle, who is set to retire as director of the Rensselaerville Library in November, accepted the position mere months before COVID-19 shut down the library in March of 2020, which she called a “bushelful of lemons” that she and her staff turned into “batches of lemonade.”

Apartments to be built near Crossgates receive key approval

by Sean Mulkerrin

At its Oct. 12 meeting, the board adopted a negative state Environmental Quality Review Act declaration for the project, meaning it determined the proposal would not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. 

New Scotland accepts donations for senior bus as it awaits word on $90K state grant

by Sean Mulkerrin

New Scotland Senior Outreach Liaison Deb Engel said she was told her application is still in the running, but hasn’t heard anything about a final award. “It should be within the next few weeks,” she said when asked about when a decision would be made. 

Westerlo board divided over salary hikes proposed in $3.6M spending plan

by Noah Zweifel

Particular focus was given by the Westerlo Town Board to salaries and wages in the town clerk’s office which, under the tentative budget, would see a $14,500 jump overall for four employees.

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