SCCC receives $100k grant for Irene expenses
Schenectady County Community College officials on Thursday, Dec. 13, announced National Grid awarded a $100,000 grant to help cover expenses related to repairs following flooding from Irene last year.
Nurturing nature
Birchwood PTO holds event rallying for nature park restoration
The Birchwood PTO on Friday, Dec. 7, sponsored a Nature Exploration Event and Nature Park Rally at the Niskayuna school, which is competing for grant funding to restore its nature trail.
Books down, steering wheels up
Scotia-Glenville students test drive alternative-fuel vehicles
Scotia-Glenville students in Rick Warren’s 12th-grade English class went from researching alternative fuel motor vehicles to seeing four models up close on Friday, Dec. 7.
Rotterdam councilman says records being hidden
Godlewski claims exclusion from town business after FOIL, supervisor disagrees
Councilman Robert Godlewski resorted to filing a FOIL request for documents pertaining to various financial records despite town officials saying some of the records don't exist.
Scotia-Glenville gets a handle on sewage
Municipalities see growing pains through use of city’s facility
Glenville officials are seeking proposals from three engineering firms to pinpoint the cost of building a new sewer facility. Town and village officials are seeking to determine if it is a more feasible option than continuing to pay sewage discharge fees to Schenectady.
Bellevue’s modern addition honors history
Improvements in 32,000-square-foot addition said to improve care
Ellis Medicine representatives, local officials and community leaders gathered on Friday, Dec. 7, to cut the ribbon on Bellevue’s contemporary 32,000-square-foot addition connected to the existing hospital.
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.
‘Warriors and angels’ grace these greens
Local family starts Childhood Cancer Awareness tree in honor of daughter
About 200 gold ribbons adorn a tree in front of Jennifer Rathbone’s home on Campbell Avenue in Schenectady. The Christmas tree stands more than 10 feet tall and shines brightly alongside the busy street, as lights illuminate the golden ribbons that each hold a different child’s name honoring the “warriors and angels” of childhood cancer.
Big wonders in miniature village
Rotterdam family hosts holiday display at senior center to honor daughter
Even the stodgiest Grinch wouldn’t be able to stifle holiday spirit upon entering Dawn’s Christmas Village at the Rotterdam Senior Center.
Private school drops anchor
Saratoga Academy leasing Maritime Center for new middle school
The Saratoga Academy for the Arts and Science and Maritime Center officials announced on Monday, Dec. 3, an agreement to create a new middle school serving fifth to eighth graders, at the Alplaus facility along the Mohawk River.
Legal battle begins in 46th Senate District
Judge hears arguments on ballot objections before counting
The legal battle over 887 ballots set aside in the 46th Senate District race is slowly proceeding, as objections are being heard on each individual contested ballot.
New super making connections
Schalmont picks Greece schools administrator following six-month search
Carol Pallas isn’t sitting behind her new desk as Schalmont’s superintendent yet, but she’s already visited the district several times to establish relationships.
Nonprofit takes its mission to ’burbs
Northeast Parent & Child trying to expand its reach outside city
Graduation rates in Schenectady County might be higher in suburban school districts than in the city, but for the Northeast Parent & Child Society it doesn’t matter where a student might fall out of the educational system.
School bus carries precious cargo
Scotia-Glenville schools staff fills bus with donations for City Mission
Scotia-Glenville School District staff on Wednesday, Nov. 21, filled a bus with donated gifts and wrapping supplies for the City Mission of Schenectady’s Holiday Toy Store.
PILOTs pave way for growth
51 tax agreements countywide bring in about $9.2M in taxes
Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority released a breakdown of the 51 PILOT agreements it administers throughout the Schenectady County, which yield $9.2 million in tax revenue to municipalities countywide.
Niskayuna OKs 3 percent tax hike
Town Board unanimously adopts $21M budget, calls plan responsible
The Niskayuna Town Board swiftly and unanimously approved the town’s 2013 spending plan, though it was discovered after the fact a required piece of information was missing from the final document.
Senate race down to objected ballots
Amedore has slight lead as counting wraps up and contest moves to court
Nearly all the votes have been counted in the 46th Senate District race, but a winner can’t be declared until a legal battle is fought over about 870 contested ballots.
Catholic Charities expands furniture storage
Program seeing uptick in local need, struggling to meet demand
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany on Wednesday, Nov. 14, celebrated the grand opening of its new warehouse in the Rotterdam Corporate Park, which houses furniture and housewares donations for low-income individuals and families.
Photo Gallery: Lighting the season's way
45th Annual Gazette Holiday Parade kicks off festive spirit
Thousands of people were captivated on the chilly Saturday night as mythical characters strolled past Proctors for the annual holiday parade kicking off the season.
Business is brewing in Glenville
Planning Board approves town’s first microbrewery, Wolf Hollow Brewing Company
The town Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday, Nov. 19, approved the site plan for a part-time microbrewery at the Glenville Grange building, located in the hamlet of West Glenville.
Rotterdam adopts $21.4M budget
Spending plan to hike taxes 1.4 percent, councilman’s questions cut off
Rotterdam is staying well within the state tax cap in its newly adopted 2013 budget, which will increase the property tax levy by 1.4 percent while cutting back the use of savings.
Niskayuna set to raise taxes 3%
Senior programming praised with call for more staff; 2013 budget at tax cap
There is little wiggle room in the 2013 budget proposed by Niskayuna leaders — it comes right up against the state tax cap.
Students hear storyteller’s story
‘Pines’ screenwriter details his Hollywood journey at hometown high school visit
Ben Coccio, co-screenwriter for “The Place Beyond the Pines,” visited Niskayuna High School, his alma mater, recently to speak with students there about his experiences in the film industry.
Glenville’s business loan group fires up
Town LDC looking to fill several open seats, begin giving loans next year
Glenville will soon have another resource in its economic development toolbox, as its Local Development Corporation prepares to start offering loans next year to new businesses.
Tons of turkey hit the road
Price Chopper donates Thanksgiving staple for Equinox dinner
Serving up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings for more than 9,000 people requires tons of turkey — literally.
Glenville Oks $18.5M budget
Spending plan raises taxes 3.55 percent, few comments from public
The Glenville Town Board unanimously approved an $18.5 million budget for 2013 at a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The board did not make any amendments to the preliminary budget approved last month.
Students honor those who served
Brown School hosts ceremony paying tribute to local vets
Brown School students gathered to sing songs and show off special projects to local veterans at a Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 9. This year’s event hit close to home for an English teacher at the school, whose son is being deployed to Afghanistan.
Educator recognized for dedication
SJCC PTO honors longtime early childhood educator with celebration
The Parent Teacher Organization at the SJCC organized a retirement celebration for Ellen Carpenter, of Schenectady, who taught youngsters for more than three decades and helped shape programing.
Area reaches out to Sandy victims
Schenectady County residents help with Downstate relief efforts
The Capital District was largely spared from Hurricane Sandy’s devastating effects. To some, this was cause for a sigh of relief. To others, it was a signal to turn their attentions to the needs of others.
SCCC students attend state business forum
Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the first time invited SUNY students to participate in the state Minority and Women Business Enterprises Forum, and some local students got a ticket.
46th Senate District too close to call
Tkaczyk holds slim lead over Amedore before absentee ballots counted
A winner can’t be declared in the newly drawn 46th Senate District until absentee ballots are counted, as a slim margin separated the two candidates on election night.
Scotia Democrats sweep trustee contests
Village board’s lone Republican fails to win reelection
Scotia Democrats had something to celebrate post-Election Day after securing three seats on the Village Board of Trustees, according to unofficial election results.
UPDATED: Santabarbara wins Assembly bid
Quackenbush trails Democratic opponent in race by almost 9,000 votes
Angelo Santabarbara emerged victorious from a contentious race against Thomas Quackenbush in the newly redrawn 111th Assembly District.
Tonko has no problem with GOP challenge
Dieterich lags well behind incumbent in 20th Congressional District
Unofficial election results have Democratic incumbent Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, leading Robert Dieterich, R-Glenville, by a margin of more than 2-1, or roughly 100,000 votes.
Greenmarket expands indoor space
Key Hall hosts larger prepared foods selection and more programs
Winter’s chill forces the Schenectady Greenmarket indoors every year, but patrons will find more offerings in a larger space this season.
111th Assembly race fought on the airwaves
Santabarbara and Quackenbush empty campaign coffers, largely through attack ads
Both candidates for the newly redrawn 111th Assembly District are pulling few punches as Election Day approaches, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising, much of it attacking their opponent’s record.
Rotterdam budget process raising eyebrows
Town officials make last-minute changes without vote before hearing
Municipal budgets are often hotly debated, but talks on spending recently took a back seat to a discussion on checks and balances after the Rotterdam Town Board never voted to approve a preliminary budget, or changes in the revised spending plan.
Touchdown for charity
Niskayuna Youth Football and Cheer to hold inaugural benefit
Youngsters in one youth football program will be playing for more than points this coming weekend.
Sandy spares area
Local officials say storm proved to be good test of readiness
Most residents woke up on Tuesday, Oct. 30, to little changed from the night before, as the actual effects of Hurricane Sandy ended up being far from dire forecasts.
The Toys for Tots train chugs on
Volunteer Marines association takes over holiday program
The Marine Corps League kicked of this year’s Toys for Tots campaign on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at its new home in Hannaford Plaza in Rotterdam. The program transitioned this year from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to the volunteer association.
Flood buyback plan sinks
Rotterdam sees little interest for program to purchase flood-damaged homes
The Rotterdam Town Board on Wednesday, Oct. 24, voted to not pursue a program to purchase properties severely damaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Irene. Councilman Robert Godlewski was the only board member voting in favor of the buyback proposal that he reintroduced earlier this month.
Educators protest cuts to schools at regional forum
Five districts converge to bemoan slashes in state aid alongside tax cap
Educators from South Colonie, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Schoharie and Cobleskill-Richmondville school districts met at Sand Creek Middle School to share their financial struggles. The districts represented a cross section of communities throughout the Capital District to show the similarity of challenges schools are facing.
Ground broken on Judson Meadows
Baptist Health hopes to work site’s farming past into life at assisted living development
Spirits were high despite a downpour at the groundbreaking ceremony for Judson Meadows, at 39 Swaggertown Road. Construction had already begun on the $14 million assisted living center, which will have 67 apartments and house 72 people.
The Italian-American dream
Rotterdam Sons of Italy to honor longtime member at annual dinner
The Sons of Italy Lodge No. 321 will honor Maniccia at its 97th Annual Columbus Day Dinner on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Mallozzi’s restaurant on Curry Road. The group is honoring him for his community involvement during his 34 years as a member of various Sons of Italy organizations.
Candidates draw clear divide
Tonko and Dieterich point to party agendas in crafting arguments
Both candidates in the 20th Congressional District attempted to align their opponent with destructive Washington politics in a debate last night.
Republican stalwarts take on new faces
Democrat challengers say change needed in Senate and Assembly
Two Democrats new to state politics are challenging Republican incumbents in the newly redrawn 49th Senate District and 112th Assembly District, and at a recent debate they both told voters it is time for a change.
Curtain up at café
Brown School hosts open mic at new music café, welcomes community
A performance at a café on a Friday night isn’t an uncommon experience, but a primary school isn’t typically where the nightlife is found.
Public slams Schenectady County budget
Whether too many taxes or too few services, few are happy with spending plan
The Schenectady County Legislature on Monday, Oct. 15, heard two opposing viewpoints during the required public hearing pitting the cost of services against the burden on taxpayers.
Students become a symbol of hope
Mohonasen students form peace sign as part of anti-bullying campaign
On a windy Friday, Oct. 12, students gathered outside the Mohonasen school, which teaches third through fifth grade, to form a school-wide human peace symbol likely large enough for airborne travelers to see.
Final chapter for bookstore owner
Open Door Bookstore proprietor looks towards retirement, business for sale
Janet Hutchison has dedicated 30 years of her life to running an independent bookstore that’s a community staple, but she is ready to turn the page to a new chapter of her life.