The village’s quasquicentennial brought renewed emphasis on the qualities and history that make Altamont unique.

VOORHEESVILLE — The Voorheesville Area Ambulance Service, which has had a tense relationship with the village board for years, has had a changeover of its top leadership, for the second time in 2015.

The village office in Voorheesville can now distribute parking permits for people with disabilities to village residents, according to Clerk-Treasurer Linda Pasquali.

​Around the Capital Region, dogs and cats who hang out in their owners’ shops and businesses are brightening the days of customers with a lick or a purr.

Elisa Fasulo — who lives half the year just outside of Altamont — has carved out a quiet life, running her own art gallery and tattoo shop in southwestern Florida two weeks of every month, and the rest of the time teaching tattooing at Austin’s School of Spa Technology in Albany.

Patricia M. Groeber, an Altamont resident, joined the State Troopers in 1986. She was recently appointed to the highest post ever held by a woman in the New York State Police — First Deputy Superintendent.

VOORHEESVILLE — A small percentage of Voorheesville residents turned out on Wednesday to vote on the question of whether to raise the Length of Service Award Program funds credited each year to qualifying volunteer firefighters. An overwhelming majority of those voters agreed to raise that amount.

Because of the state tax freeze, villagers will not see their taxes rise over the next few years as a result of any increase to firefighters' pensions, according to the Voorheesville village clerk.

Sometimes we hear the phrase “buy local” and think: That’s a good idea, but just not practical. Local goods are hard to find, and expensive, aren’t they?

ALTAMONT — Mike Houghton has a small dental lab in a converted garage at his home in Sprakers, but at this time of year, the equipment for making gold and porcelain crowns gets crowded out by Santa gear. Houghton plays Santa at many area events, including the Altamont Victorian Holiday.