John Purcell
Reporter
518-439-4949
Ext: 429
John Purcell has worked at Spotlight Newspapers for more than two and a half years and covers Albany County suburbs.
Purcell covers the towns of Guilderland and New Scotland, the villages of Altamont and Voorheesville and Albany County news and feature stories. He also covers the school districts of Guilderland and Voorheesville. Previously, he covered Schenectady County for Spotlight Newspapers.
In the New York Press Association's 2011 Better Newspaper Contest he received third place honors in Spot News Coverage for his story on the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. Also, in NYPA's 2010 contest he received honorable mention for best news story.
Before joining Spotlight, he interned at The Legislative Gazette covering state government. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a B.A. in Journalism. Also, he is a Schenectady County native.
Recent Stories
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.
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.
UPDATE: Guilderland voters pass $91M budget
District's $1M bus and equipment proposition approved, uncontested board race
More than 60 percent of voters supported Guilderland Central School District’s proposed spending plan for next school year, holding a 3.39 percent property tax levy increase.
Rain doesn’t dampen spirits [photo gallery]
Crowds turn out to honor heroes at Altamont Memorial Day Parade
Despite a soggy start and drizzly finale, Altamont’s Memorial Day Parade went on as planned Sunday, May 19, when people lined the streets armed with umbrellas to honor those who made the greatest sacrifice for their country.
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.
Guilderland police contract cleared
Two-year agreement holds annual 2 percent salary increase
The Guilderland Town Board on Tuesday, May 7, approved a new two-year contract with the town’s police union, which has around 35 members. The agreement provides a retroactive 2 percent salary increase each year.
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.
Tax District dropped for townwide plan to fix drainage
Guilderland GOP robo-calls McKownville residents, supervisor says change not political
The Guilderland Town Board is backpedaling on a plan to establish a special taxing district in McKownville in a favor of a townwide fund aimed at fixing drainage issues across the board.
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.