Archive » June 2023 » News

In rare split vote, VCSD board adopts new reading curriculum

by Sean Mulkerrin

The  Voorheesville School Board’s June 5 vote adopting McGraw-Hill’s Wonders Reading Curriculum was notable for its lack of unanimity; motion requests are rarely met with anything other than a universal green light. 

DEC offers ‘Next Step’ courses for hunters and trappers

Hands-on courses taught in small groups are now being offered to hunters and trappers by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.

Albany County grants $900K for fire training facilities in Guilderland, Hilltowns, and Colonie

by Noah Zweifel

“We’re trying to be as helpful as possible when they approach us because most municipalities couldn’t afford to pay for fire services,” said Albany county legislator Mark Grimm.

County residents suffered with ‘unhealthy’ air for 3 days till winds shifted, but the wildfires rage on

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — While over 100 wildfires are still burning in Quebec, shifting winds have freed Albany County residents of the three days of “unhealthy” air that plagued the Upper Hudson Valley and most of the state on June 6, 7, and 8.

Berne residents seek solutions beyond town hall

by Noah Zweifel

The Community Hilltown Action Team, or CHAT, offers Berne residents a monthly meeting space to discuss local concerns and brainstorm ways to solve them, bypassing the sometimes-suffocating rules and personalities of the town board.  

Pyramid defaults on Crossgates loans, debt to be auctioned off

by Sean Mulkerrin

Securities and Exchange Commission filings associated with the three commercial mortgage-backed securities holding Crossgates Mall $243.7 million in debt state Pyramid filed a notice of default the week of May 8.

Rensselaerville water-chemical levels border on unsafe as town works toward upgrades

by Noah Zweifel

The town published its 2022 water quality report on its website this week. It shows that, while better than last year’s report and below state requirements on average, the town is still struggling to regulate the levels of TTHMs and HAA5, which are potentially toxic byproducts of the disinfection process. 

Local air quality improves as winds blow west

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Using data reported for “respiratory symptoms” on June 8 from Emergency Medical Services response data, which is a timely early-warning source, the health department observed a statewide increase of 17.8 percent in the rates per 100,000 on Wednesday, June 7, as compared to the average of the five-day period of June 1 through 5. At the same time, for the metropolitan New York City region, the increase was 28.4 percent and for the Capital Region, it was 12.4 percent.

Public hearing kept open on for 11-lot Western Avenue subdivision

by Sean Mulkerrin

A May 23 public hearing on a proposed 11-lot subdivision off of Altamont’s Western Avenue was kept open until the zoning board’s next meeting, currently set for June 28.

‘Dickensian skyline’ means you should stay inside

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — Speaking from the University at Albany on Wednesday evening, Governor Kathy Hochul said the poor air quality throughout most of the state caused by wildfires in Quebec was “unprecedented.”

Strong showing at Knox broadband focus group wins praise from CanCode organizers

by Noah Zweifel

CanCode founder and Chief Executive Officer Annmarie Lanesey said that the 30 or so people in attendance at Knox’s broadband focus group represented “probably the biggest turnout” she had seen at such an event, and was useful as CanCode works to funnel rural data to New York state so it can direct connectivity funding more effectively.

County legislators prepare for 250th anniversary of American Revolution

by Noah Zweifel

Legislator Jeff Perlee, of Altamont, says that Albany County should have an especially active role in celebrating the American Revolution, since it was home to many prominent figures of the time, and was also the scene of a battle that could very well have allowed for the colonies’ eventual victory. 

Advocates call on state to mitigate toxic sludge used on farmland

by Noah Zweifel

The Sierra Club released a report this month detailing the widespread use of fertilizer that contain highly toxic PFAS chemicals on farmland in New York State, and the state’s apparent failure to properly control this use. 

Military veterans honored in Guilderland

GUILDERLAND — For the sixth year, Guilderland is honoring veterans of the armed forces with its Hometown Heroes banner program.

A dedication ceremony, open to the public, will be held on Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. at Tawasentha Park off of Route 146.

Voorheesville man charged with endangering child

NEW SCOTLAND — State police arrested Michael J. Whitney, 44, of Voorheesville on May 23 for second-degree reckless endangerment and for endangering the welfare of a child.

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