ALBANY COUNTY — Parking will be free on New Year’s Day at Thacher State Park and Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.

The Albany County Legislature has authorized an increase of the hotel occupancy tax rate from 6 percent to 6.5 percent as a way to fund tourism initiatives, with all GOP members opposed to the measure. 

“Some of the recommendations in this report may appear at first reading to be too big or too bold, but significant change is warranted,” the report says, noting the formula’s use of “old, outdated information” as well as its “outmoded modeling to measure pupil needs and local school district wealth.”

Judy Kimes, Publicist, New Scotland Historical Association

On Nov. 22, two weeks after the start of Jennings Creek wildfire at Sterling Forest State Park on the New York border with New Jersey, the governor announced the fire was fully contained.

Farmers can apply for funds to invest in infrastructure, equipment, and the adoption of “state-of-the-art practices,” the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets says.

The student body at SUNY schools is becoming more diverse. For the first time, enrollment of white students in the SUNY system came in below the 50-percent mark, and is at 49.1 percent this year, down from 59.6 percent a decade ago.

Joseph Slichko wants to highlight the work of both students and staff at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Center.

He started work on Nov. 18 as the center’s new principal.

The state has an “action plan” meant to protect species under threat.

The state is encouraging residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks.