The first night of dress rehearsals for the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Theatre Troupe’s production of “The Music Man,” saw a flurry of preparation both onstage and off. The show opens Friday night.

BERNE — Although it has seen some increases this year, Berne’s library is still working toward a goal of receiving more funding, in the hopes of adding more hours to serve the public.

The estimated cost for Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s capital project was again debated at a board of education meeting Thursday night, with one board member holding firm on lowering the cost and others stating the cost is outweighed by the education improvements it would provide.

Westerlo has pitched in to help a local woman suffering from cancer. Orchestrated by her sister, Betty Filkins, with help from the Westerlo Reformed Church, the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company, and the local band the Hilltown Ramblers, a fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 8, at 7 p.m. to benefit Ruth Savino.

BERNE — There are three seats up for election on the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School Board, and so far, at least three candidates — two incumbents and a former long-time board member — have confirmed that they are running.

An impromptu inspection of a former boarding house has led to the Berne town building inspector to recommend that the town order it either secured or demolished by the owners, a church in Queens that uses the building’s property, but not the building, as a retreat center.

A fire at the Green Acres Mobile Home Park in Knox has left at least eight homes without power. The trailer park’s owner, who initially could not be reached, has arranged to have it fixed by Friday, he said. Residents in the meantime are using generators, kerosene heaters, or packing up and seeking shelter elsewhere.

Following a public hearing on a solar bill, and preceding a town workshop meeting, the Westerlo Town Board passed its first law of 2017, which sets requirements for residential and commercial solar arrays.

The Albany County Veterans Services Bureau has sent officials to speak in towns across the county in order to encourage veterans to register with them. Registered as a veteran will make them not only eligible for benefits, but allows the bureau to receive more federal aid based on the number of veterans in their care.

A sheriff’s deputy said he smelled pot coming from a car parked at Thacher Park and was going to search it.