A Dec. 15 fire at a Smith Lane garage in Berne killed a cat and a number of chickens, and afflicted the main residence with smoke and water damage. Two people — both adults — are receiving financial assistance from the Red Cross as a result. 

John Brower, Summerville, South Carolina

Joshua and Stefanie Rockwood, who took over Gordon Farms from former Knox resident Alexander “Sandy” Gordon, are nowhere to be found as Gordon attempts to collect more than $130,000 from the couple through a lawsuit.

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society said last month that it would not renew contracts with local towns like Westerlo because of the increase in stray intakes this year from certain city clients, who will still be offered service.

The Holiday Hunt is a week-long extension of the regular deer season over the winter holidays that was implemented by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation last year, frustrating snowmobilers who have to shorten their recreational season as a result. The state legislature has passed a bill allowing counties to opt out of the additional hunting week.

Paul Scilipoti, Knox

Helen Marie Lounsbury, Berne

Zenie Gladieux, Hilltowns Clothing Project Kiwanis Club of the Helderbergs

The Helderberg Lake Association, which owns the high-hazard and disrepaired Helderberg Lake Dam, is in need of funds to bring the dam up to code after the town of Berne voted not to front the money earlier this year, despite the town-wide impacts that dam failure would cause. 

The homeschooling rate at Berne-Knox-Westerlo doubled during the pandemic and has yet to come down, leaving district officials to figure out how to attract students back into a formal school setting.