Archive » December 2024 » News

Crossgates: After 2 p.m., anyone younger than 18 needs an escort

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The brawl was filmed and the video posted to social media. The video shows a man wearing a yellow jacket labeled “Security” standing back as the fight unfolds. Then a burly police officer, wearing a vest labeled “K-9 Unit,” wades into the melée, breaking up the fight.

Holiday fires in Rensselaerville part of a larger trend

by Noah Zweifel

Holiday fires in R’ville part of a larger trend

Legislators’ voices to be amplified

ALBANY COUNTY — About $80,000 of the nearly $32 million Albany County received in federal pandemic funds, through the American Rescue Plan Act, will be used to upgrade transmission of the county legislature’s meetings.

Legislators voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to spend $150,000 for the upgrades.

Guilderland legislator and school board lauded for transparency

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The Guilderland School Board was chosen for the “nice” list because it filled a board vacancy by conducting interviews in a public videotaped session. Mark Grimm was lauded for his push for government transparency.

‘Embrace the outdoors’: Parking is free for First Day Hikes

ALBANY COUNTY — Parking will be free on New Year’s Day at Thacher State Park and Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.

New plan for Mercy Care Lane: 72 units of affordable and workforce housing

by Sean Mulkerrin

No formal application has been submitted to the town, but members of the development team looking to build the project at 6 and 10 Mercy Care Lane met this week with Guilderland’s Development Planning Committee.

Former 70-, now 42-lot subdivision receives key approval

by Sean Mulkerrin

The negative SEQRA declaration from the Guilderland Planning Board places one step closer to the ultimate goal of subdivision approval.

Guilderland helps 102 families with housing but many more are waiting

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

While the waiting list for Guilderland is long, James Mastrianni explained that just 76 of the 333 applicants on that list either live or work in town and those applicants move up the list faster than out-of-town residents.

More antisemitism at Voorheesville

by Sean Mulkerrin

The Voorheesville Central School District in a Dec. 18 post on its website said, “On the afternoon of December 17, 2024, our safety monitor discovered vandalism during routine bathroom checks on our MS/HS campus.”

Albany County Legislature raises hotel tax along party-line split

by Noah Zweifel

The Albany County Legislature has authorized an increase of the hotel occupancy tax rate from 6 percent to 6.5 percent as a way to fund tourism initiatives, with all GOP members opposed to the measure. 

Guilderland residents will have new water meters and increased fees

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The town board agreed to hire Core & Main to install about 10,000 water meters in homes across town for just under $5 million and also agreed to a table of updated fees, requiring building permits for the first time for projects like replacing windows, roofs, and siding.

Rensselaerville sees movement on bequest funds

by Noah Zweifel

The $830,000 entrusted to the town of Rensselaerville two years ago has been tied up in red tape ever since, but an attorney for the town recently announced that the town has been granted a cy prés to move the funds to another trustee, which he said was the “major hurdle” in the ordeal.  

Town board pauses on letting Foundry Square proposal proceed

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

While one board member said it feels like the Foundry Square developer is holding a gun to the town’s head, the town planner said there was no threat and the developer has made compromises and will do heavy lifting to solve longstanding pollution and traffic problems.

GHS junior aims to make Diwali a school holiday

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Sarecha has enlisted two of his Hindu friends to help him gather signatures for a petition to recognize Diwali as an academic holiday, a day off from school so they can pray and celebrate with their families.

Altamont examines water options

by Sean Mulkerrin

Rich Straut, the village’s engineer, said Altamont has for the last year been exploring the treatability of the manganese at the Brandle Road wells.

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