Archive » October 2023 » News

Governor Hochul warns of heavy rains and flash floods

Heavy rain and possible flash flooding is expected in some locations across the eastern part of New York state this weekend.

Rail trail to close for four days as old bridge decking is removed

NEW SCOTLAND — A portion of the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail will be closed in the town of New Scotland from Tuesday, Oct. 10, to Friday, Oct. 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 

Kate Cohen says, to save the country, atheists should make themselves known

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

NEW SCOTLAND — When Kate Cohen became a mother a quarter-century ago, she decided she would not lie to her children.

That decision led to her third book, published this week: “We of Little Faith: Why I Stopped Pretending to Believe (And Maybe You Should Too).”

Clean audit for GCSD, which took a hit with tax challenges and has a growing liability for future retirees’ health benefits

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The audit notes that Guilderland lost about $5 million in net position due larging to increased costs for pupil transportation and tax certiorari expenditures as well as an increase in net pension liabilities.

Gracie’s Kitchen goes out with a bang

by Noah Zweifel

The dire state of the restaurant industry, with costs and the availability of quality labor going in opposite directions, have led the Voorheesville restaurateur to the difficult decision to close Gracie’s Kitchen. But news of the closure have turned the final days of the eatery into a celebration of the service it brought to the community. 

CPS request leads to arrest on gun charges

BETHLEHEM — A request made on Tuesday by Child Protective Services to check on the welfare of a child in Selkirk led to the Thursday arrest of a woman on gun charges, according to a release from Bethlehem Police.

As district gears up for next capital project, music ‘definitely needs love,’ says board

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The board president said she didn’t want advocating for more music space “to get lost in this bigger discussion” about state requirements for electric school buses.

Klein found guilty for murder of ex-girlfriend's husband

by Noah Zweifel

A jury delivered a guilty verdict Thursday morning in the case of Jacob Klein, who murdered his ex-girlfriend’s husband at the couple’s home in New Scotland last spring. He had been charged with second-degree murder. 

Silver linings in Rensselaerville’s water problems

by Noah Zweifel

In the span of a few days, the Rensselaerville water district was hit with a broken pipe and two chemical violations. They highlight the need for funding to upgrade the district’s 80-year-old water system, which has been faltering in recent years, and help the town meet eligibility requirements for at least one grant. 

Pine Bush Preserve seeks neighbors to track climate change

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is looking for neighbors that can collect data within half-a-mile of the preserve to help track changing weather patterns by measuring the depth of snow in their own backyard or at their workplace.

County hits ‘medium’ rate of hospitalization for COVID-19

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — In a three-step system, Albany County has moved this week from “low,” where it was ranked all summer, to “medium” for COVID-19 hospital admissions.

State funding boosts use of cover crops

by Noah Zweifel

Cover crops aren’t a strong investment through sales alone, but they improve the health of farm soil by, among other things, protecting against erosion and pests, ultimately making farms more resilient to climate change. A study has found that New York’s public funding has been successful in encouraging farmers to grow cover crops on their farms.

Hawaiian Oktoberfest at Indian Ladder Farms to support Maui fund

NEW SCOTLAND — In the wake of the Maui wildfires, funds raised at the Sixth Annual Hawaiian Oktoberfest will go to the Maui Strong Fund through the Hawai’i Community Foundation.

Westbrook wants to make sure ‘everyone feels they belong’

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“He says, ‘My job isn’t to change minds. It’s to open minds,’” said Superintendent Marie Wiles of Guilderland’s new DEI director, Derek Westbrook. “I just love that. That’s what education is all about.”

Pages