Archive » April 2025 » News

As new owner, Albany County makes first Switzkill improvements

by Noah Zweifel

Albany County, in one of its first acts as owner of the property, has fixed up the road leading up to Switzkill Farm as it prepares for more improvements down the line. 

DEC: More investigation to begin at Foundry Square brownfield site

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The current owner of the property, Charles Bohl Inc., as well as the developer planning to buy the property to build the apartment complex, Guilderland Village LLC, are listed by the DEC as the applicants for the environmental investigation study.

Berne’s proposed Spectrum contract keeps same fee but loses build-out agreement

by Noah Zweifel

Although an old agreement is still in place and would remain so indefinitely, the town of Berne is considering signing a new contract with the cable company, Spectrum, that would keep the franchise fee the town receives from the company the same but would remove an obligation for Spectrum to build new infrastructure in areas that meet a household-density threshold. 

Voorheesville $3M budget up 11%

by Sean Mulkerrin

The village property tax rate is set to increase 1.43 percent next year, from about $1.36 per $1,000 of assessed value this year to approximately $1.38 per $1,000 next year.

Photo: Altamont protest, "A combination of anger and terror"

“A combination of anger and terror” is what Edna Litten said brought her to the corner of Main and Maple in Altamont on Thursday evening, April 24. She joined a score of other protestors holding largely handmade signs as passing motorists honked. “We’re making a statement against what Trump is doing,” said Steve Walter, another protester. While this was their first stand, the protesters plan to be in front of the village green every Thursday between 5 and 6 p.m., said Meg Seinberg-Hughes. The protesters dispersed at six as the chimes from St. John’s Church sounded. 

Felony arrest for possession of khat follows traffic stop

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

BETHLEHEM — A routine traffic stop on April 17 led to an arrest for a controlled substance, khat — a drug rarely seen locally.

Amar H. Mehsin, 19, of Albany, was stopped on Route 9W near Bender Lane by Bethlehem Police at midnight, for a traffic violation, according to a release from Bethlehem Police.

MHLC to open its first preserve in Schenectady County this summer

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GLENVILLE — In July, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy will open its 23rd preserve, the first preserve in Schenectady County — a 54-acre property in the hamlet of Alplaus donated by Gray and Vicki Watkins.

State offers rebates for purchase of new EVS and for chargers

Thirty-million dollars is now available for consumers to lease or purchase new electric vehicles in New York through the state’s Drive Clean Rebate program, which provides point-of-sale rebates for more than 60 new EVs.

Guilderland man charged with attempted murder

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — A stabbing on Sunday led Guilderland Police to charge a neighbor of the victim with attempted murder on Tuesday.

BKW adopts $24.7 million budget

by Noah Zweifel

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education unanimously adopted Superintendent Bonnie Kane’s $24.7 million budget for the 2025-26 school year, which will go to a public vote on May 20. 

‘Rude awakening’: State legislators share views on late budget with inquisitive crowd

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Senator Patricia Fahy who has been hosting similar budget sessions throughout her district said that community meetings before the pandemic, when she was an assemblywoman, “never had a great turnout.” Now, the meetings, with the chaos of federal cuts, are well attended.

GleeBoxx creator wants forgotten people to feel seen

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Each box includes a note she wrote. Sharath read one to The Enterprise: “Even in difficult times, hope can be a light in darkness. Know that you are deserving of support, compassion, and a better tomorrow. Stay safe, take care of yourself, and never forget that you matter.”

BCSD board adopts $116.6M budget, under tax cap, with concerns over depleting fund balance

by Noah Zweifel

The adopted $116.6 million budget for Bethlehem Central School District’s 2025-26 school year would, if passed by voters on May 20, impose a 1.12-percent property tax increase. 

‘Devastating’: Underground Railroad Center program derailed by IMLS cuts

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Mary Liz Stewart, who founded the Underground Railroad center with her husband, Paul, in the 1990s, said the idea for the museum project came when she was looking for quotes by Black Americans for a newsletter the center regularly puts out. She came across this one by Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman elected to Congress: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.”

Next year’s $34.5M VCSD budget essentially flat

by Sean Mulkerrin

If approved, next year’s budget would represent a 0.15-percent increase over this year and a nearly 6 percent increase in the property tax levy.

Pages