VOORHEESVILLE — Seniors at Clayton A. Bouton High School slowly filled the school gymnasium on a muggy evening, June 24, as they waited to enter the school auditorium and receive their diplomas.

VOORHEESVILLE — Clayton A. Bouton High School salutatorian Devin Freeman, 18, stayed up late writing his salutatory speech. Then, he says he had his friend, girlfriend, and father look it over, and he was going to present it to his mother to look at as well.

“I’m not good at writing at speeches,” he says.

VOORHEESVILLE — Clayton A. Bouton High School valedictorian Olivia Suozzo, 18, has not yet decided on a college major, but that may be because her repertoire is already so varied.

A Troy man who had a loaded handgun and other weapons in his car, discovered during a traffic stop in New Scotland, has pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Douglas Brundige, 38, pleaded to the felony before Judge Thomas A. Breslin in Albany County Supreme Court on July 1.

NEW SCOTLAND — A bobcat attack is being described as an out-of-the-ordinary event. The rabid animal attacked a couple and a dog last Wednesday.

VOORHEESVILLE — A boisterous partier and athlete as well as a loyal family man and American Legion member, Donald G. Duncan Sr. wore many hats in his lifetime.

Mr. Duncan died unexpectedly on Monday, June 27, 2016, at St. Peter's Hospital surrounded by family. He was 84.

NEW SCOTLAND — A pair of peregrine falcons have been spotted on the south side of John Boyd Thacher State Park. But, while the news of the endangered birds have brought about excitement of their discovery, it has raised about concern over potential plans for an “adventure ropes course” proposed for the area.

A pilot program centered around “work-based learning” will launch in September at Clayton A. Bouton High School.

NEW SCOTLAND — Maureen Curry has been park manager of John Boyd Thacher State Park and Thompson's Lake Campgrounds for a year. Originally hailing from Western New York and with a background in geology as well as parks management, she has been in the midst of the park’s redevelopment as it goes through its first-ever master plan.