“We’re 100-percent volunteer so most of us had to get home and get to work … You have to return to normalcy after helping a neighbor out all night long.”

ALBANY COUNTY — Jacob “Jake” Houck, with the Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company, and Gerald E. Paris Jr., Albany County’s fire coordinator, were each recently honored as Firefighter of the Year by the Albany County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association.

Currently, some places in Guilderland’s five elementary schools, middle school, and high school have “dead spots” for communication, said Superintendent Marie Wiles. The award will be used to upgrade radio communication for all seven buildings.

The former Clarksville Elementary School in New Scotland is already home to the sheriff’s public safety building; soon it will also house the county’s 9-1-1 call center. 

Crossgates Mall was locked down after reports of gunfire on Wednesday afternoon. No one was injured, police say, and, as of Wednesday evening, no suspects were in custody.

A new law brings the village into line with Guilderland’s Knox-Box requirements.

County officials said the height of a planned communications tower can reduced to 160 feet.