Archive » May 2025 » News

Five candidates vie for four places on the GPL board

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — On May 20, voters served by the Guilderland Public Library will choose among five candidates to elect four trustees.

Incumbents Michael Hawrylchak and Michael Puspurs are running along with challengers Matthew Grunert, Joseph Otter, and Bethany Stever.

BPD: Threatening calls lead to Quality Inn evacuation and felony arrest

BETHLEHEM — Sections of the Quality Inn in Glenmont were evacuated on Tuesday, May 13, police say, because of threatening calls while police negotiated for several hours with the man staying at the inn who was making the calls.

Bethlehem library board: Four compete for two seats

by Noah Zweifel

BETHLEHEM — To help the Bethlehem Public Library navigate the outcome of the overwhelming defeat of its $37 million proposed capital project last winter, four candidates are vying for two seats of the library’s board of trustees. 

The seats come with a five-year term on the seven-member board. 

Guilderland buys new ambulance for $326K

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

When the paid GEMS squad took over from the volunteer Western Turnpike Rescue Squad, McGaughnea said, “The ones that we originally bought, we bought from Western Turnpike and they don’t really fit the way we operate as an ALS ambulance,” he said of Advance Life Support.

Town takes legal action against St. Peter’s, Burger King

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The town board agreed on legal action to respond to a suit filed by Burger King, claiming the town is responsible for flooding and to seek reimbursement from St. Peter’s Hospital due to long ambulance waits.

Westerlo clerk created dysfunction at town hall, investigation finds

by Noah Zweifel

An internal investigation into Westerlo Town Clerk Karla Weaver found she had bullied and intimidated other town employees, falsified documents, and orchestrated a Freedom of Information Law campaign designed to bog down the town supervisor’s office. 

Photo: Protesting Stefanik

About 150 protesters gathered in clusters on Saturday at Elm Avenue Park in Bethlehem to protest an Albany County Republican Committee fundraising event featuring Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who has hinted at running for governor.

Delmar woman charged with manslaughter after wrong-way crash

A Delmar woman was charged with manslaughter on May 9 after, State Police say, she was driving drunk, causing a fatal wrong-way crash.

Defining workforce housing, IDA chief asks, ‘Who are we truly helping and how?’

by Sean Mulkerrin

The agency is working to define what constitutes workforce housing

McKownville’s new firehouse is a go as bids come in within budget

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The $10 million firehouse will be built in the footprint of the current 58-year-old station. 

R’ville water committee seeks public opinion on well sites

by Noah Zweifel

The Rensselaerville Water and Sewer Advisory Committee is holding a community meeting on Thursday, May 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hilltown Commons Guggenheim Theater to get input on preferred well sites for a new public water system. 

‘That is fraud’: Berne signs ambulance contract despite lack of funds

by Noah Zweifel

Berne Councilwoman Melanie laCour voiced her concerns at the board’s May meeting about the fact that the town’s ambulance expense was left out of the 2025 budget, making it unclear how the town will pay for a $225,000 expense at the end of the year when all revenue is already attached to other expenses and there’s little left in savings. 

Do students and staff know GHS policy on pledge of allegiance?

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

One Guilderland resident proposed an award for a student essay on democracy. Another resident questioned the school’s policy on daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. And a middle-school French teacher spoke about teaching liberty and justice in her classroom.

Knox to elect female supervisor as Pokorny retires

by Noah Zweifel

The Knox candidates are in, with town Clerk Traci Delaney (formerly Schanz) running for town supervisor on the Republican line, and former Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education member Chasity McGivern challenging her on the Democratic line. 

Voorheesville library proposes $1.37M budget

by Sean Mulkerrin

Voters won’t be asked to choose a library trustee as incumbent Sarah Brunt is unopposed for her seat. 

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