Albany County, like the rest of the state and nation, has seen an increase in infections following holiday gatherings — Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and most notably the spike that started with Thanksgiving through the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

GUILDERLAND — Blake Spears, 40, of Westmere, was sentenced on Friday to 300 months in prison for sexually exploiting a child.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, special agent in charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

With vaccination ramping up, there is a nationwide slowdown in COVID-19 testing. “COVID-19 tests are available and we need people to continue to be tested as we strive to get more people vaccinated,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.

On Friday, Cuomo announced a partnership to vaccinate through primary-care physicians in a New York City-based network, while Congressman Paul Tonko and others called on the White House to have primary-care doctors administer the COVID-19 vaccines.

“Our goal,” said Guilderland Supervisor Peter Barber at the time the recent pathways planning started, “is to make it a more walkable community.”

GUILDERLAND — Water service was restored on Sunday after a water main broke on Saturday afternoon near Route 155 and Regency Park in Guilderland.

“This is a budget about sustaining what we have,” said Guilderland schools Superintendent Marie Wiles of next year’s spending proposal.

ALBANY COUNTY — As the vaccination rate climbs — 27 percent of New Yorkers and 34 percent of Albany County residents have gotten at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine — more people are traveling and more venues are opening.

The state’s Department of Health strongly recommends that all facilities offer testing for visitors as COVID-19 is still present in communities statewide.

In June 2021, NY State of Health will for the first time expand tax credits to tens of thousands of additional New Yorkers with higher incomes who, before the American Rescue Plan, did not qualify for financial assistance to lower the cost of premiums.