Archive » December 2025 » News

NYS expands efforts to reduce road salt, urges property owners to use less salt

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“For more than a decade we have been working to minimize road salt use as much as possible and the results speak for themselves,” said DOT Commissioner Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “Now, it’s time to expand the battle. We encourage everyone to implement judicious salt management practices that minimize salt use while still maintaining safety

Property owners saddled with water-line ruptures and repairs sue town

by Sean Mulkerrin

The lawsuit was filed on Dec. 11 by Thomas and Valerie Newell along with their daughter, Erin. The crux of the case turns on whether the pipe is defined as a water main, which the town would maintain, or a lateral, for which the Newells would be responsible.

Trio arrested after vehicle stolen in Slingerlands

SLINGERLANDS — On the morning of Dec. 2, State Police say, a vehicle was stolen in the area of New Scotland Road in Slingerlands and later located, with help from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, on North Manning Avenue in Albany.

‘We’re going to put up a fight at the next election’ says new GOP chairman

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Asked about his goals in his new Guilderland post, Maher said, “I’m hoping that we can have a full slate of candidates and raise money for the party and bring some life back in because the party in Guilderland, they’ve been struggling for a few years now.”

It takes a village to feed 100 veterans a holiday meal

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“I’m fully disabled and I can’t work, so I put all my time into this,” Savino said of the holiday-meal giveaway.

‘A long shot’: Partial loss for Voorheesville in Norfolk Southern lawsuit

by Sean Mulkerrin

Chief Judge Brenda K. Sannes signed the order Dec. 3.

‘The sky’s the limit’: GCSD board enthused about Community Schools

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Board members sounded receptive to the idea at their Dec. 9 meeting and learned that two nearby city districts — Albany and Schenectady — have adopted the strategy while no local suburban districts have.

VFD gets $27K federal grant

VOORHEESVILLE — The volunteer fire company here has received $27,450 in a federal grant meant to help training, recruitment and retention, and purchasing equipment.

Congressman Paul Tonko announced the 13 federal grants totaling more than $5.45 million in funding for 11 Capital Region fire departments and EMS squads.

Finalized: County buys five St. Rose buildings for $6M

The century-old college, facing financial hardship, closed in the summer of 2024. The Pine Hills Land Authority, backed by Albany County, then won the bid to buy the 48-acre campus for $35 million. 

Former dance hall-turned-church now to host home-school center

by Sean Mulkerrin

“Yeah, it’s a place where families who are homeschooled can come bring their kids just to have open play games, projects,” project applicant Katie Coffey told Planning Board Chairman Stephen Feeney.

Voorheesville looks to change the way it grades

by Sean Mulkerrin

The new proposal shifts focus from procedural details to a broader framework that emphasizes equity, communication, and student growth.

‘Politics are nasty’ says Palow as he exits town government

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“We’d be remiss,” Helen Lounsbury said, “if we didn’t give this group — old and new — a big round of applause.” The crowd obliged.

County legislature passes bill to prohibit selling flare guns to people under age 21

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The bill needs to be signed into law by Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, which is likely since in October he signed an executive order setting 21 as the minimum age to buy a flare gun in Albany County, the same age stipulated by the bill.

No change on Altamont’s tax hike but legislators explore remedies

by Sean Mulkerrin

The village tax increase came amid an audit by the Office of State Comptroller.

State IT audit: Guilderland needs more protections

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The audit found employees used work computers for personal matters, the town hadn’t disabled accounts for workers who had left, and a contingency plan needs regular testing as well as adoption by the town board.

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