Towns finalize water deal
New Scotland will buy water from Bethlehem to form new district
The New Scotland and Bethlehem town boards each approved an intermunicipal water supply agreement for the newly formed New Salem Water District on Wednesday, June 12.
Common Core questions
Education forum focuses on new testing requirements, state mandates
State Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk, D-Duanesburg, and Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, D-Albany, organized a forum, “Education at a Crossroads: A Forum on the Impacts of Testing and Mandates,” on Wednesday, June 5, in the Legislative Office Building at the Capitol.
Biernacki subdivision clears first hurdle
New Scotland planners give preliminary approval for 12-lot project
A 12-lot subdivision in New Scotland saw considerably less public protest in its second public hearing before the town’s Planning Board, leading the board to move the project forward in the planning process.
Anniversary makes a splash
Bethlehem celebrates Elm Avenue Pool Complex’s 40th birthday
Bethlehem celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Elm Avenue Pool Complex on Sunday, June 9, with a slide of cake, live band, bouncy house and of course swimming. There are several more events scheduled this year to continue the celebration.
Students float on recycling
RCS students build floating creations for second Recyclable Boat Regatta
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School students in Scott Peck’s Design and Drawing for Production course constructed boats complete with oars or paddles capable of powering an operator 75 yards across Lawson Lake for the district's Recyclable Boat Regatta.
Flyers’ forgetfulness helps homeless veterans
Clothe a Homeless Hero program implemented at Albany International Airport
The Albany County Veterans Service Bureau is working with the Albany County Airport Authority, the Transportation Security Administration and the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society to distribute unclaimed clothing left at airport security checkpoints to homeless veterans.
Albany County flood plains being updated
Preliminary maps comment period open, affects insurance rates and building requirements
The official flood maps in Albany County are in the process of being redrawn. Flood maps lay out floodplain boundaries and identify where flooding is most likely to occur in storms of varying strengths. The boundaries of flood zones can have a major effect on homeowners because it can greatly influence the need for flood insurance and what rates it might be offered at.
Trash to treasure
Guilderland students helping to expand Pine Bush habitat
Students from Farnsworth Middle School are helping to monitor an area near the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Guilderland seventh-grade students were brought just past the City of Albany’s Rapp Road Landfill, where they looked for signs of life native to the Pine Bush at restored portions of land.
A brief history of the natural world [photo gallery]
Environmental Fair at Five Rivers explores the present and past
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center hosted more than 600 students from around 10 Capital District elementary schools during the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s three-day Environmental Fair.
UPDATED: Voorheesville voters approve school budget
Bus and reserve fund propositions pass; uncontested board incumbents
Voorheesville Central School District's approved 2013-14 budget increases spending by almost $694,000, or 3.14 percent, and holds a property tax levy increase of 3.23 percent, which is within the district’s tax cap limit.
Fighting insect hinges on knowledge
Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week focuses on invasive insect’s threat, precautions
New York is recognizing Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week this year from Sunday, May 19, to Saturday, May 25. Residents and visitors are being encouraged to become more aware about the invasive insect and its destructive potential towards ash trees.
Clark family keeps up fight
Teen’s suicide fuels push for legislation over school special education resources
Jerry Clark’s grandmother can’t fill the hole in her heart left by her grandson’s suicide, but she is continuing her efforts to keep it from happening to other families by lobbying for state legislation.
Flood of concerns over subdivision
New Scotland residents pack hearing to lament drainage issues, board rebuts claims
Neighbors of a proposed 12-lot subdivision in New Scotland fear their existing drainage issues would only worsen with new construction, but town officials and the developer claim the opposite is true.
New Scotland OK's New Salem water project
$3M extension hinges on purchase agreement with Bethlehem
The New Scotland Town Board on Wednesday, May 8, unanimously approved the boundaries of the New Salem Water District, but the town though must finalize a water purchase agreement with Bethlehem before the taps are turned on.
Park lovers give back
Volunteers pitch in to help Thacher Park for 'I Love My Park Day'
More than 50 people turned out to lend Mother Nature a helping hand at John Boyd Thacher State Park for New York state's second "I Love My Park Day" on Saturday, May 4.
[Photo Gallery] Taking a peek at farm life
Indian Ladder Farms showcases baby animals and activities
Baby animals returned to Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont on Saturday, May 4, with children clamoring to chicks, ducklings, bunnies, lambs, pigs and goats.
Voorheesville Board of Education OKs $22.6M budget
Spending plan holds 3.23 percent tax hike; freshman basketball could be restored
The Voorheesville Board of Education unanimously adopted a $22.56 million 2013-14 budget during a special meeting on Tuesday, April 23. The tax levy would be raised by 3.23 percent under the plan.
Contract talks on life support
Voorheesville Area Ambulance Service and village reach deadlock
Four months have passed since Voorheesville Area Ambulance Service’s contract expired with the Village of Voorheesville. Negotiations stalled when a majority of the village board wanted to withhold about $8,800 in funding from the ambulance service’s reserve accounts
Voorheesville OKs $2.12M budget
Village property tax levy to increase 2.6 percent, repairs will draw from reserves
The Voorheesville Board of Trustees on Tuesday, April 23, unanimously adopted a $2.12 million 2013-14 budget, which increases spending around $140,000, or 7 percent. The village will raise more than $275,000 from taxes, and increase of around $7,000.
Remembrance effort still strong
Delmar man continues event commemorating D-Day veterans
As what has been called the Greatest Generation ages, finding World War II veterans is getting harder. Tougher still is locating survivors of a single action, even one as momentous and enormous as D-Day.
Growing green habits
Family-friendly Go Green Day to feature recycling, demos, good eats
Go Green Day 2013 will be held Saturday, April 27, at Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland. Several area groups worked together to create the educational event and recycling drop off, along with opportunities to donate a variety of items to local causes and organizations.
Bethlehem Central’s $90.4M budget below tax cap
Board of Education cuts $220k, including freshman level sport teams
The Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education adopted a $90.4 million 2013-14 budget Wednesday, April 17, by a 6-1 vote. The proposed spending plan holds a property tax levy increase of 3.59 percent, below the district's tax cap.
Town wants to demolish unsafe buildings, eventually
New Scotland officials target three buildings to be razed at an estimated $58k
The New Scotland Town Board held a public hearing Tuesday, April 9, on the proposal to demolish three buildings targeted under the town’s Unsafe Building Law. These buildings are the first the town has fully pursued under the law, which was adopted September of 2010.
Voorheesville targets 3.2% tax hike
District's state aid declining; pleas to not eliminate freshman basketball
Voorheesville CSD's proposed 2013-14 budget totals $22.6 million, which is an increase of $695,000, or 3.17 percent. The proposed property tax levy increase of 3.23 percent is below the district’s tax cap threshold.
Stress test
New standardized tests have parents, educators worried about effects on students
On Tuesday, April 16, students in third to eighth grade across New York will sit down for the first day of standardized tests that adhere to the Common Core Standards. But it has been months now that parents and educators have worried pupils are being pushed too far with the sudden shift to more rigorous standards.
Voorheesville increases some fees
Sewer and water rates, summer rec and vendor permit fees to rise
The Voorheesville Board of Trustees approved on Tuesday, March 26, increasing the sewer rate, summer recreation fees and vendor permit fees, which will bring a modest increase in revenues.
Voorheesville schools to stay under cap
Board eyes 3.2 percent tax levy increase, around $450k in reductions
Despite being able to adopt a budget up to the property tax cap of a 3.9 percent increase, Voorheesville Central School District Board of Education members directed administrators to hold the line at 3.2 percent.
Cracking the Common Core
New York’s students will start taking new standardized tests this year in the name of improving performance. So why are kids expected to fail?
Students in third to eighth grade will face English language arts and math tests adhering to Common Core Standards, national standards that were developed by looking at what students should achieve to be prepared for college.
Tonko tackles health care changes
Congressman fields questions on Affordable Care Act at V’ville library
Rep. Paul Tonko held a forum Wednesday, March 27, at the Voorheesville Public Library to discuss health insurance changes taking effect later this year as part of the Affordable Care Act.
Ramping up wellness
Voorheesville holds Wellness Day to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle
Voorheesville Central School District’s Wellness Committee held its second Wellness Day at the high school and middle school Thursday, March 21, which was kicked off with BMX riders soaring into the air off a ramp in the gymnasium.
Comic timing
Voorheesville workshop takes a graphic approach to storytelling
Elementary students were creating their own characters instead of reading about them Friday, March 15, at Voorheesville Public Library Friday, during a workshop hosted by Matthew Laiosa.
New Scotland advances proactive rezoning plan
Town considers zoning changes to fit landscape and community
New Scotland has more than 515 acres zoned for industrial use, but industry isn’t exactly booming in the rural town. The industrial classification stems from land’s proximity to the railroad tracks, but a significant portion isn’t suited for large industrial usage.
Voorheesville schools facing $440k budget gap
Proposed cuts forthcoming, two bus purchases eyed for referendum
It remains to be seen how deeply $440,000 worth of cuts will affect the Voorheesville Central School District, as administrators consider how to stay within a tax cap of a 3.87 percent increase.
Albany County Sheriff knocks SAFE Act
Local authorities see benefits and downsides to new gun control law
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple isn’t convinced the SAFE Act will make the streets any safer, despite what the legislation’s acronym implies, but thinks it could turn formerly lawful gun owners into criminals.
Gun fight comes to Albany County Legislature
Gun rights advocates call on lawmakers to support SAFE Act repeal
Republican Albany County Legislator Deborah Busch presented a proclamation for fellow lawmakers to sign in support of repealing the SAFE Act. At least 14 legislators had signed the proclamation by the end of the meeting.
BC talks athletics cuts
Four-level sports could be reduced to three levels, maintenance eyes $94k in reductions
The Bethlehem Board of Education continued 2013-14 budget development on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and discussed the athletics and operations and maintenance budgets. Athletics spending is proposed to increase by almost $26,000, and the operations and maintenance budget would increase $47,000.
Protesters take aim at gun-control law [photo gallery]
Gun advocates and state legislators call for end of SAFE Act
Thunderous rally cries could be heard coming from Empire State Plaza as gun rights advocates and state legislators campaigned for a repeal of the law.
NYSUT calls out tax cap
Area legislators ask for increased state aid to schools
Public schools are in the budget limelight as local lawmakers call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to modify aid distributions guidelines, while at the same time the state’s largest teachers union is suing to challenge the constitutionality of the state tax cap law.
Outside the box
Unique chocolate treats offer break from Valentine’s Day tradition
While chocolate is often seen as a can’t-fail Valentines gift, the traditional heart-shaped box of sweets might strike some as clichéd. But for those looking to stray from convention will be met with a sweet surprise at Capital District candy shops.
Fervent frustration at firearms forum
State Police answer questions on new gun laws, face charged reactions
Hunters and competitive shooters turned out in numbers at a Wednesday, Jan. 30, forum held by police to field questions about the state’s new gun laws, but the most popular query — why the law was adopted in the first place — went largely unanswered.
Elementary equations
Area educators decry lack of state aid, distribution inequality
Around 1,400 people on Thursday, Jan. 31, attended the regional event “Your Public Schools in Fiscal Peril — Running Out of Time and Options” featuring Statewide School Finance Consortium Executive Director Rick Timbs as the keynote speaker.
Caring for caregivers
Alzheimer’s support groups provide empathy and encouragement
The Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York offers support groups at more than 30 locations across 12 counties to help care-giving partners and individuals with early stage Alzheimer’s or others forms of dementia.
Grants aim to keep history afloat
Erie Canalway grants awarded to three area organizations
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor announced $45,800 in grants awarded to nine organizations throughout the state at Proctors on Friday, Jan. 18. Three Capital District organizations will receive a total of $17,500.
SCCC expands reach into Albany
Satellite campus touted as boon for education and downtown businesses
Three years after discussions began, SCCC announced Friday, Jan. 18, its footprint is expanding into the county’s building at 112 State Street in Albany. The college is renovating nearly 10,000 square feet of former Albany County offices on the second floor for classrooms and will lease the space from the county.
Tkaczyk captures 46th Senate District
Lengthy legal battle ends with Democrat newcomer trumping Amedore
Tkaczyk will represent the newly drawn 46th Senate District after her campaign’s appeal to count additional ballots led her to beat Republican George Amedore by 19 votes as of the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 18.
Educators skeptical about Cuomo’s reforms
Area school administrators grade governor’s education proposals
Gov. Cuomo linked education to the economic recovery of the state and laid out several proposals to enhance the quality of the state’s public schools. Area school administrators say district funds are tapped and are wondering how initiative will be funded.
An ornamental end to the holidays
‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ to light up Proctors with fantasy and wonder
Before ringing in the New Year, the Mainstage at Proctors will round off the holiday season with four performances from Friday, Dec. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 30, of “Cirque Dreams Holidaze."
Amedore certified winner, Dems appeal pending
Republican grasps 37-vote lead in 46th Senate race, but Tkaczyk isn’t conceding
Acting Montgomery County Supreme Court Justice Guy Tomlinson on Wednesday, Dec. 17, certified Amedore as holding a 37-vote lead after the final disputed paper ballots were counted.
Thruway drops toll hike
Public pressure leads authority to turn to cuts instead of trucks
Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas Madison on Monday, Dec. 17, announced during a news conference with Gov. Andrew Cuomo that any toll increases have been removed from the proposed 2013 budget.
Fear and loathing at the tollbooths
Thruway Authority says toll hike on passenger cars out of question
Lawmakers have lambasted the New York State Thruway Authority’s proposed toll hike on trucks for weeks, but with rumblings of other ideas being pursued a dark cloud still hangs over the 570-mile highway.
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