GUILDERLAND — Superintendent Marie Wiles told the school board Tuesday, during its televised meeting, that she wanted to “recognize the strength and character of this community” in dealing with the “unspeakable tragedies that struck our community.” Wiles said there was a remarkable

GUILDERLAND — Three teachers, two secretaries, and a principal were recognized this year by the school board for what Lin Severance called their “outstanding contributions to the Guilderland Central School District.”

As facts slowly come to light on the murder of two Guilderland Elementary students and their parents, the staff is helping their classmates and each other work through their grief with care and compassion.

ALTAMONT — Monday morning, Bette Cowley had a lifetime of treasures spread out on the bed she and her husband had shared for decades. Ed Cowley died on Saturday morning, Oct. 11, 2014. He was 89.

The Appio brothers — a "risk-taker" and a "voice of reason" — work together on their films, both thrillers and comedies, to create their own reality.

NEW SCOTLAND — Two days after the Stannard sisters were arrested for failure to provide sustenance to animals, and had 45 cats taken away, an orange tabby circled them as they sat at a picnic table at the town park on Swift Road.

The school district wants to "work smart," the superintendent said, exploring only the best ideas to help with the problems of declining enrollment, stagnant funds, and under-used buildings.

A recent National Natural Landmark designation shows the Albany Pine bush Preserve is rare for inland pinebarrens because of its wind-formed dunes.

GUILDERLAND — Now that the school district has defined a problem of too much building space for too few students and not enough money to maintain the status quo, citizens will be asked to help shape solutions.

Erin McNamara, who is passionate about teaching English, is now the president of GCSD most powerful union; she wants to focus on what happens in the classroom despite budget cuts and increased mandates.