Archive » January 2026 » News

Bethlehem down to two choices on elementary-school rezone

by Sean Mulkerrin

For months, the board of education, a separate rezoning committee, and the public have debated a number of options to reshuffle students, ultimately arriving at two proposals.

Thruway Authority launches safety action plan, invites public input

On Jan. 7, the New York State Thruway Authority announced the launch of its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, a system‑wide initiative to improve roadway and employee safety, strengthen emergency response and reduce serious injuries and fatalities across the 570-mile Thruway system.

NYS sets another flu record — with hospitalizations

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

As part of its Respiratory Surveillance Report, the state’s health department maps activity for each county statewide. In Albany County currently, as in the rest of the state, there are more than 40 cases of influenza per 100,000 of population. For COVID-19, Albany County has 20 to 39.9 cases per 100,000 of population. And for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, known as RSV Albany County currently has  0.01 to 7.09 cases per 100,000 of population.

Grants available for public playgrounds

Applications are now being accepted for $67.5 million in capital funding to help municipalities and nonprofit organizations construct, expand, and renovate public playgrounds for all abilities across New York state.

Voorheesville gets $200K in state funds to start restoring hay-and-grain mogul’s headquarters

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The money will be used for the first phases of renovation, including asbestos abatement, removing non-original building additions, and stabilizing the structure, which was determined to have “good bones.”

Rensselaerville to hold hearing on consolidating voting districts

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The Rensselaerville Town Board has scheduled a hearing on the matter for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the town hall.

Crosier’s suit against Town of Berne back in state court

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

He would still be willing to settle with the town, Crosier said.

‘Gold star’: Bipartisan Berne board adopts new policies for new start in new year

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Supervisor Joseph Geibelhaus said of the many resolutions, “There’s been a request for transparency. With transparency comes accountability.”

Voorheesville drops remainder of Norfolk Southern lawsuit

by Sean Mulkerrin

In a Dec. 30 letter to Judge Paul Evangelista, the Voorheesville attorney in the case wrote, “As neither an answer nor motion for summary judgment has been filed in response to” Voorheesville’s counterclaims against Norfolk Southern or its third-party suit against JC Pops, the village “is entitled to voluntarily dismiss its claims .…”

Schenectady woman charged with drunk driving on Route 20

GUILDERLAND —A Schenectady woman was charged with drunk driving on Christmas Eve after a traffic stop on Route 20.

Water, taxes, and long-term planning characterized Guilderland and Altamont

by Sean Mulkerrin

As the year came to a close, Guilderland found itself at odds with a very specific set of town residents.

A year of hard-earned progress for New Scotland and Voorheesville

by Sean Mulkerrin

Much was achieved over the course of the past year in the town of New Scotland and village of Voorheeville.

In 2025, faced with problems endured by much of rural America, Hilltowns seek solutions

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

As farmland is decreasing dramatically across the United States, Knox has a proposal to preserve its own. As the United States faces a significant housing shortage — particularly of affordable housing — the town of Westerlo made strides this year, streamlining the permitting process for accessory-dwelling units to make it easier for elderly residents who’d otherwise be looking for dedicated senior housing in the suburbs to stay close by. Municipal water problems are frequent in the United States with rural systems prone to the most problems; Rensselaerville has been working to transition its water district away from a surface-water system into a public well system under the guidance of its Water and Sewer Advisory Committee.

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