This week, the Rensselaerville Town Board moved ahead with a law that would — on paper, at least — allow marijuana dispensaries to operate in the town, scheduling a public hearing for Sept. 28. Meanwhile, discussion about another law, which would regulate Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, was paused for lack of urgency.

In a letter to the Westerlo Town Board this week, the town’s planning board chairman, Beau Loendorf, requested that the planning board be allowed oversight of the new firehouse project sought by the local volunteer fire department, which is believed to be immune to local zoning. 

Katherine Dieckmann, Westerlo

Laurie Searl, Berne

It took responders nearly 24-hours to find Wesley L. Knapp, an 82-year-old man from Pennsylvania who was declared missing the night of Sept. 10 after phoning his wife to let her know he was stuck in mud in the Stage Road area of Berne. 

WESTERLO – Hazel G. Flagler — a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother — died peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 at her residence. She was 81.

EAST BERNE — Sharon L. Munroe-Raber, of East Berne, died surrounded by family and friends at St. Peter’s Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, after sudden illness at her home on Saturday, Sept. 2. She was 60.

Under the belief that an auto dealer would be setting up in Rensselaerville, dozens of residents showed up at a planning board hearing to learn that that was not the case — but it didn’t stop them from airing their grievances anyway.

Jeff Marden, Member, Berne Democratic Committee

Amie Burnside, Chairperson Westerlo Hometown Heroes