Albany County is using $3.2 million of American Rescue Plan funding to provide access to 1,000 underserved addresses in Bethlehem, Berne, Coeymans, New Scotland, Rensselaerville, and Westerlo. 

ALBANY COUNTY — People getting federal benefits to buy food are being skimmed, according to reports received by the Albany County Department of Social Services.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, distributes benefits through Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, cards.

“As we call on the federal government to make this vaccine available through the Vaccines for Children program, the Department will keep working to remove barriers and protect families’ access to lifesaving immunization,” said Health Commissioner James McDonald. “Vaccines save lives, and we will always stand with New Yorkers to safeguard their health.”

ALBANY COUNTY — Annabelle Morton’s design for this year’s “I Voted” sticker got 99 percent of the public votes that determined the winner.

On Tuesday afternoon, the county executive’s office put out a release saying that Daniel McCoy had signed an executive order setting 21 as the minimum age to buy a flare gun and then on Tuesday evening, the county legislature introduced a local law that would treat flare guns like traditional firearms and “must be primarily purchased, possessed, and used by those over 21 years old.”

The county tax rate will drop from about $2.73 per $1,000 of assessed value this year to about $2.56 per $1,000 in 2026. 

“An unusually dry period” combined with the danger of fallen leaves accumulating led to the ban, according to a proclamation signed by the governor. The ban prohibits outdoor fires for disposal of brush or debris as well as all uncontained fires, including campfires, and open fires used for cooking.

ALBANY COUNTY — Six murals were unveiled this week as the start of the “Within Us” project, which seeks to use art as a catalyst for healing and discourse on mental health and suicide.

The project is funded by a $34,000 grant through Albany County’s American Rescue Plan Act program.

Dorcey Applyrs, Albany’s chief city auditor and the Democratic candidate for mayor, said, “Showing up for causes like this means becoming a target.”

ALBANY COUNTY — Albany County has received $1,639,396 in state funds — part of $85 million in grants awarded to 57 counties across New York — to prepare for implementing Next Generation 911.