The announcement that Capital Holiday Lights — a popular Christmas time fundraiser for the Albany Police Athletic Association — is slated for the Altamont fairgrounds next year has stirred interest in the village.

GUILDERLAND — Last week, John McDonnell, who directs the Guilderland Food Pantry, talked to a woman in her early seventies who had been retired for about five years.

He recounts their conversation in this week’s Enterprise podcast.

Capital Holiday Lights — a popular Christmas time fundraiser for the Albany Police Athletic Association — will come to the Altamont fairgrounds next year.

ALBANY COUNTY — At a time when bird populations worldwide are in decline, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation is expanding its bird trail and encouraging residents to use the trail.

Four of the 13 new State Birding Trail locations announced this month are in Albany County.

Wendy Dwyer is a lifelong activist who is going to take her commitment to recycling and fighting pollutants all the way to the grave. Literally.

She has signed up for a green burial.

ALBANY COUNTY — The symptoms are similar, but three different viruses — flu, COVID-19, and  respiratory syncytial virus — are circulating statewide.

A study published on Oct. 11 in Educational Researcher found pandemic aid to public schools wasn’t enough to make up for learning loss.

Supervisor Peter Barber told The Enterprise this week that, while the spending of the American Rescue Plan funds are to be pandemic related, “You can make up any lost revenue, and provide government services.”

Foreman David Corey said he sets the fees just to balance out the costs and added, “We’re still not really covering our costs.”

BETHLEHEM — Bethlehem Police have made four arrests to break up an identity-theft ring they say was responsible for stealing $100,000; the investigation is ongoing.