More foster homes are needed in Albany County not just because the number of children in the system has increased but also because 2018 federal legislation, which prioritizes family-based foster care, will limit reimbursement for certain residential placements in New York in 2021.

ALBANY COUNTY — On Tuesday, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy signed two local laws to help with environmental efforts: one is for a five-cent fee on paper bags at retail stores and the other creates a loan program for sustainable energy projects.

GUILDERLAND — Stephen Cadalso was one of the residents of the ghost neighborhood in front of Crossgates Mall; he sold his home to Pyramid in December 2015. He believes Pyramid’s current plan to build a Costco in his old neighborhood is “too intense” of a use.

WESTERLO — Egeziaca Rufa was born on Nov. 20, 1913 — before the start of World War I, before automobiles were common, before most homes had indoor plumbing.

She was born in Italy and lived her young life on the outskirts of Rome. In 1941, she moved with her family to the United States.

With the season of thanksgiving on the horizon, celebrated by people of all religions in these United States, the Greenville Area Interfaith Council hosted a forum considering the question: What comes after death?

“I’ve always had a reverence for the old,” Timothy Rau said, likening his work to a “rebirth” for historic buildings — “putting it back the way it had been.”

ALTAMONT — Jacqueline R. “Jackie” Warner was a woman of constancy.

“Doing art is basically aesthetic problem-solving,” says Hope Konecny, owner of the Big Eye Gallery and creator of the Cool Stuff Show.

Jeff Perlee, a Republican who won handily in district with more Democrats than Republicans, said the day after elections: “If there’s a mandate, it’s: Don’t make this about partisan positions; find a way to put aside partisanship to get things done.”

Come Jan. 1, Joel Willsey will be the sole Democrat on the Berne Town Board, long a Democratic stronghold, as GOP-backed candidates again swept to victory.