GUILDERLAND — The DARE program — the acronym stands for Drug Abuse and Resistance — isn’t just about drugs any more, explained Officer Matt Hanzalik of the Guilderland Police, who teaches the course to fifth-graders at Guilderland’s five public elementary schools.

The Crounse House is a Federal-style single-family home built by Frederick Crounse, Altamont’s first doctor, who practiced there on the village’s main street, now Route 146. 

GUILDERLAND — In 22-degree weather the day after Christmas, firefighters battled a house fire at 490 Church Rd. that took the life of one person.

Westmere Fire Department Chief Henry Smith said that a 9-1-1 call came in at about 1:41 p.m. reporting a house fire with someone possibly trapped inside “in the cellar area.”

One difficulty with planning how to use the $2.1 million Guilderland will receive in Smart Schools funding, said Demian Singleton, is accounting for how quickly the tech world evolves, and making sure that the money is spent on technology that will not be outdated right away.

GUILDERLAND — Nearly two months after a fluffy white puppy was stolen from the Pet Zone at Crossgates Mall, police have charged Janira A. McCall, 17, with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission will be offering programs at the Discovery Center during the school break, from Dec. 26 to 30:

— The ninth annual Cookie Burner Stroll is on Tuesday, Dec. 26.  This 2.6-mile hike is for people 8 and older;