Archive » April 2024 » News

Rensselaerville announces first recipients of bequest money

by Noah Zweifel

The town of Rensselaerville, which in 2022 received around $860,000 out-of-the-blue from the late Jeffrey Bogue, will give away $17,265 of it this year to a variety of community groups and organizations. 

Andrews charged with DWAI in overpass crash

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — After investigating a Feb. 11 crash where a car leaving the Northway on the ramp to Crossgates Mall careened through the guide rail and off the overpass, landing on the Thruway beneath, the state police arrested the driver on April 25.

Complaints made by or about library café released, racism not revealed

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Among the sheaf of documents, largely made up of emails, the only one that might be interpreted as involving racism was written by Melanie Diaz Partak on Jan. 29, 2024, about a month before the café’s closure, asking if there was “any word on whether or not the woman who came in and verbally attacked me has been identified or banned?”

Voorheesville to hold several hearings

by Sean Mulkerrin

On May 7, a joint public hearing of the planning commission and zoning board is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Voorheesville firehouse on Atlas Copco’s proposed expansion plans. 

Voorheesville Public Library’s 2024-25 proposed budget up 5%, tax levy up 3%

by Sean Mulkerrin

The proposed budget is under the state-set cap by about $16,000, and would raise tax rates for property owners in the towns of New Scotland, Guilderland, and Berne between about 2.7 percent and 3.2 percent, depending on the municipality. 

Albany Dutchmen ‘go dark’ for the 2024 season

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — The Albany Dutchmen will not play at all this season.

The team, made up of college players hoping to be recruited by Major League teams, was unable to renew its lease with the town of Guilderland to use Dutchmen Field at Keenholts Park.

Brushfire no match for folding shovel

ALBANY COUNTY — A quick-thinking environmental conservation officer, Michael Hamline, prevented a Voorheesville brushfire from spreading by using a folding  shovel.

The fire was reported on Tuesday, April 9, on State Farm Road, according to a release from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.

Tacos Diablo brings Mexican street food to Guilderland

by Noah Zweifel

Chef Dominic Giuliano grew up in Southern California, two hours from the Mexican border, which gave him the opportunity to explore and fall in love with food he found off beaten paths in both places. Now, he’s bringing that cuisine to Guilderland’s Hamilton Square with Tacos Diablo, having built up a customer base through his first location in Nassau.

Swastikas found in Voorheesville school

by Sean Mulkerrin

An email about the incident sent to parents said, “We want to let you know of a disturbing discovery involving vandalism of some shared school property. On Wednesday, April 24, a student discovered swastikas etched into a music stand.”

BKW board adopts $26.2M budget with 5.1% tax increase, requiring supermajority to pass

by Noah Zweifel

There will be a public hearing on the budget on May 7 before district residents vote on May 21. They will also vote for the lone school board candidate, incumbent Lisa Joslin. 

‘So scary’: Despite BusPatrol, more motorists are passing stopped school buses, says McCoy

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The program has brought in a little over $410,000 since September. “We don’t want your money,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy. “But we want to make sure your kids get to school safe, day in and day out.”

Joslin, uncontested, seeks re-election to BKW board

by Noah Zweifel

HILLTOWNS — Berne-Knox-Westerlo has not seen a contested school board election since 2019, and this year is no exception, with incumbent Lisa Joslin seeking another term after first joining the board in 2021.

Appeal heard: Can Pyramid acquire roads for Costco by eminent domain?

by Sean Mulkerrin

The lawsuit, filed by three of the petitioners involved in the four previous unsuccessful suits, seeks to annul the Guilderland Industrial Development Agency’s August 2023 decision allowing Pyramid to acquire by eminent domain the roads on the proposed Costco site, at the corner of at the corner of Western Avenue and Crossgates Mall Road.

New McKownville firehouse passes in a landslide

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — McKownville will have a new $9.6 million firehouse, built in the footprint of its current 57-year-old station.

On Tuesday, fire-district residents passed the measure in a landslide — with 80 percent of the vote, according to Michael Costabile, the chief of the all-volunteer department.

On Earth Day, Thacher Park is celebrated as a National Natural Landmark with nearly $4M in upgrades announced

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

They had assembled for a plaque unveiling but, in addition to the plaque on the back, stone wall of the center, draped in festive scarlet, they were also greeted with three posters displayed on easels. Each pictured improvements totaling $3.9 million in state funds: a solar array, a warming hut, and upgrades to the park’s iconic Indian Ladder Trail.

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