Linda Smith, Treasurer Hannacroix Rural Cemetery

We attended workshops to improve our writing and reach, we commisserated with colleagues over the hurdles posed by covering news in the midst of the pandemic, and we celebrated the work that has carried communities forward and shone light in dark times.

ALBANY COUNTY — This week, as China’s strict zero-COVID policy is under strain, the more relaxed approach in the United States may be what led to the results in a recent report posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that most Americans have been infected with the virus.

These local students were named to the dean’s list or received a similar honor from their college or university for the fall 2021 semester:

— Annie Quinn of Delmar, at Loyola University in Maryland with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher;

These local students were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Socielty:

— Margaret Collins of Schenectady, majoring in liberal arts and sciences in english;

— Nicholas Denofio of Schenectady, majoring in mechanical engineering technology; 

The Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program will kick off the spring planting season with a “Potting Up” event in celebration of Arbor Day on Friday, April 29.

Since traditional methods of disease surveillance do not capture all COVID cases — some are asymptomatic, not diagnosed, or not reported — the researchers studied antibodies, known as seroprevalence, to understand the incidence of COVID-19.

Christine Rem, a nurse and retired Army colonel, has spent a lifetime preparing for the role she has now created for herself — helping women veterans.

“Our infection rate continues to rise at an alarming rate, and we are likely not detecting the full level of community spread as many at-home COVID tests go unreported,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.

Ruth Van De Weert (née Laroe) — who “treasured her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother” — “entered the arms of her Savior on Saturday, April 23, 2022 after a brief illness,” her family wrote in a tribute. She was 96.