BETHLEHEM — The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation has recognized the town of Bethlehem as a Silver Certified Climate Smart Community, joining 20 other municipalities across the state that have achieved the certification.

Bethlehem earned the certification for its work on sustainability, including:

Jim Gardner’s first impulse on hearing his wife scream at the sight of a big black bear in their yard was to shoot it — with his camera.

 “This grant is a major win for our community, not just for preserving a piece of our past, but because it helped us reimagine the space for the future,” said McCoy.

Joanne Cunningham, who chairs the legislature and represents part of Bethlehem, introduced the bill in March after the town of Bethlehem was not immediately informed about contaminants in New Scotland wells on property close to Bethlehem’s Vly Creek Reservoir.

“The truth is — and I think we all know it — that when women are at the table of leadership, the conversation changes … policies find compassion and communities gain equity,” said Romero.

The name Helderberg Indivisible was chosen, Porter said, because people from Berne and Knox are among the protesters who come to Altamont, at the foot of the Helderbergs, for the weekly rally. She estimated “maybe 50” people belong to the group.

“Flare guns were never designed to be weapons, but they are now being weaponized and used to inflict destruction, panic, and pain within our communities, including right here in the Capital Region with the outrageous and unacceptable violence we saw over the Fourth of July weekend,” said Senator Patricia Fahy.

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy is celebrating the opening of its first preserve in Schenectady County on July 15.

The $8.9 million project to replace the 95-year-old bridge began on March 17 with Winn Construction clearing trees and grading, moving earth to reconfigure the slope near the entrance to Guilderland’s Tawasentha Park.

Before the vote, Donald Lindley addressed the board, saying that he spoke on behalf of highway workers who oppose unionizing.