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State issues eighth annual birding challenge

The game is afoot: New Yorkers of any age are encouraged by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation to make like Sherlock Holmes and observe with care to identify birds in their environs.

Gov’t transparency advocates boost four FOIL-strengthening bills

by Noah Zweifel

The state-level legislation — all the bills are still in committee — would incentivize faster responses to Freedom of Information Law requests, compel governments to reveal how they handle these requests, limit the FOIL exemptions offered to businesses, and put the burden of attorney’s fees on governments that are found to have unreasonably denied a request. 

Guilderland resolves to become Pro-Housing Community

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

While she said the program is “a great idea,” Robyn Gray went on, “I just want to make sure that we’re going to focus on affordable housing and senior housing and not high-end housing, not even market-rate housing. It should all be for those special needs.” Superintendent Peter Barber responded that the grant programs “are all geared towards workforce housing, affordable housing, senior housing.”

Amphibians migrate early and sporadically this year to mate in vernal pools

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Volunteers across the state have helped the amphibians safely across roads since 2009, and 1,600 surveys have been provided by volunteers, biologist Laura Heady said, with information that is used to develop recommendations for preserving these “really important amphibians.”

DEC urges vigilance before March 16 burn ban starts

The annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation announced this week as it cautioned vigilance since snow wasn’t heavy this winter.

Halal market denied in Guilderland

by Sean Mulkerrin

The board voted down Guilderland Live Poultry and Grocery’s request 4 to 1.

State parks plan solar eclipse events

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — Thacher Park is among the state parks that will hold special events leading up to the total solar eclipse on April 8.

Thacher will hold what is billed as an “activity hour” on Saturday, March 23, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Yes, Berne has a historical district (and yes, it’s enforceable)

by Noah Zweifel

Multiple maps and an oddly-worded legend has made it difficult to discern whether or not Berne has a historical district with enforceable zoning regulations but, while residents could be forgiven for any confusion, the district’s legitimacy is unambiguous from a legal point of view. 

Business for Good to hold Voorheesville job fair

The café is seeking full-time and part-time employees to fill roles for supervisor, barista, and chef. 

Crossgates saves millions as it settles tax lawsuit with town

by Sean Mulkerrin 

While it was the town of Guilderland that was sued by Crossgates, it will be Guilderland schools that bear the brunt of the refund burden. 

GCSD super proposes $125M budget for next year that maintains programs, stays under tax cap

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The district has spent $5.7 million to pay tax refunds after court challenges, and drained its reserve for tax certiorari cases. So it made a strategic decision to pay Crossgates Mall, once the most recent tax challenges are decided, not entirely out of the operating budget but rather by borrowing the money and paying off the bond over a decade.

Democrats sprint for 102nd Assembly seat

by Noah Zweifel

Three candidates, including Rensselaerville’s Hébert Joseph, are vying for the Democratic line in the race for the 102nd New York State Assembly seat, currently held by Republican Chris Tague. 

McCoy issues prescription for county’s health

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The pandemic has heightened food insecurity nationwide, said McCoy. Albany County, he said, has worked with United Way, the Food Bank of Northeastern Regional, and “nearly 60 food pantries and soup kitchens to get healthy food to families within our neighborhoods that need it most,” committing a quarter of a million dollars to the effort. Also, the county has provided $109 million in food-stamp benefits to 19,000 families county-wide, he said.

DEC urges hunter education as two New Yorkers died from gunshot wounds last year

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Only one of the incidents occurred in Albany County: On Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving, a 68-year-old hunter with 20 years of hunting experience “unintentionally discharged one round from their firearm and struck their left foot,” the DEC reported. No violations were noted.

Guilderland school board President Rivera named Regent-Elect

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — Seema Rivera, the president of Guilderland’s school board, will be moving on to a more powerful board.

She has been named a Regent-Elect of the state’s Third Judicial District, consisting of seven counties: Albany, Schoharie, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia, Ulster, and Sullivan.

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