VOORHEESVILLE — Valentine A. Ciupek, a high school athlete, worked a variety of jobs as he and his wife raised two children. He retired as a head account clerk after a 33-year career with the state.

Mr. Ciupek died on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, after a brief illness. He was 96.

NEW SALEM — Edwin Wood of New Salem was a World War II veteran who worked as a millman and was always willing to help others.

 A loving father and adoring grandfather and great-grandfather, he “went to be with the Lord” on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, his family wrote in a tribute. He was 93.

The four Democrats who all held leads on their four Republican or GOP-backed challengers on Nov. 2 continued to do so after Nov. 17, when the absentee ballot counts were released by the Albany County Board of Elections. 

VOORHEESVILLE — Gail Brown is a catalyst.

She brings life to her community by pulling varied entities and people together to make things happen.

The longtime head of Youth and Family Services at the Voorheesville library, Brown has just been named Public Librarian of the Year by the New York State Library Association.

Doug LaGrange, New Scotland

Peter Kelly, New Scotland

 The New Scotland Planning Board at its November meeting began the process of subdividing the former Bender melon farm into preservable and commercially-viable parcels.

The Voorheesville School Board at its November meeting partially reversed a rule it had established just last month.

Peter Drao, Charissa Mayer, New Scotland