KNOX — A lifelong forester and family man, Frederick W. Oettinger was also active in helping the Knox community as a volunteer firefighter and president of the historical society.

He died peacefully at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland on Friday, June 30, 2017.

At a packed public hearing Tuesday night on a proposed business district at the intersection of routes 156 and 157, the Knox Town Board vote was tied 2 to 2, with one absent member, as the audience grew heated with the deliberation.

At a town board meeting, Rensselaerville residents and town board members discussed the upcoming county-wide shared-services plan due Aug. 1. Much of the meeting involved questions without answers.

Pat Lightbody, publicist, Women’s Auxiliary Knox Fire Department

Not only should schools celebrate students with disabilities at graduation ceremonies, they should include and support these students from the start of their education.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo valedictorian Michelle Ferraino was once unsure about the new school she was starting at when she was 10. Now, she speaks of a place with resilient and compassionate students and staff.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo Salutatorian Liam Hanley has grown up doing activities outdoors in the Hilltowns. He now gets to pursue his love of the outdoors and his skills in math and science studying at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

At the Berne-Knox-Westerlo graduation, speakers looked two ways: back at the graduates’ past experiences at BKW, and also to their future paths in life.

KNOX — Brad Ableman, who is 17, has been fishing since he was “old enough to cast a rod and reel,” and has wanted to be like the professional anglers he has followed over the years. Now, he’s getting that chance.