Conversation bests litigation. If neighbors talked to each other, one's collie and the other's duck might still be alive.

The Public Service Commission asked companies for proposals to bring more power from upstate New York south to New York City. New lines may impact local aesthetics but could also increase tax revenue.

These local students are on the dean’s list at the State University of New York College at Geneseo for the fall semester 2013, having achieved a 3.5 grade-point average while taking at least 12 credit hours:

— Allison Cropsey from Altamont;

— Alexandra Fasulo from Altamont;

These local students were named to the dean’s list or received a similar honor from their college or university for the spring 2013 semester:

These local members of the New York Army National Guard have been promoted:

— Michael Guilmette from Voorheesville, and serving with the Headquarters and Support Company, 42nd Infantry division is promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel; and

Two neighbors are at odds as they grieve over their dead animals. One shot the other's dog after his birds were attacked.

These local students have been named to the president’s list at Hudson Valley Community College for the fall 2013 term, with a grade-point average between 3.5 and 4.0:

— Maria Commisso of Altamont, in the diagnostic medical sonography academic program;

Hopeton LaBeach, 55, of White Plains, was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Stephen Herrick in Albany County Court to one to three years.

He had pleaded guilty on Dec. 13 to one count of fourth-degree money laundering, a felony.