Colonie grad lays down voice for school system
Rapper B. Martin’s ‘SUNY Anthem’ racks up views on YouTube
Brendan Martin turned his words into positive messages and not too long after graduating UAlbany 2010, and he showed off his skills to the entire SUNY system by writing “The SUNY Anthem,” released on YouTube on Feb. 27.
Demolition begins on Latham Circle Mall
Demolition began Tuesday, March 12, on the rundown Latham Circle Mall, paving the way for construction for The Shoppes at Latham Circle.
Target age subject of apartment review
Murray Manor Apartments would be for 55-and-up
Members of the Colonie Planning Board have reservations about an apartment complex proposed to be built on Boght Road after learning the developer’s intended tenant demographic.
Students extend a helping hand
Blue Creek classes collect books, PJs for Parsons Center Head Start kids
Charitable donations tend to skyrocket during the holiday season, but they’re also traditionally followed by a lull when the snow starts to melt. But for programs like the Parsons Child & Family Center’s Early Head Start, assistance is needed year-round.
Planning Board talks CAP COM traffic
Colonie seeks connector road to relieve Wolf Road traffic
The Colonie Planning Board is asking engineers working on a new CAP COM Federal Credit Union headquarters off of Wolf Road to find the best solution to reduce traffic congestion.
Years later, fearless service recognized
Beltrone resident’s WWII volunteerism acknowledged by Red Cross award
Shirley Sheriff was honored as a 2013 Legacy recipient by the American Red Cross Northeastern New York Region on Thursday, March 7, for her humanitarian efforts during the war.
South Colonie teen spells his way to the top
Ryan Devanandan to travel to Washington, D.C. for national spelling bee
For the third year in a row, South Colonie student Ryan Devanandan found himself standing on the stage of Proctor’s Theatre at the Capital Region Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 5.
McCoy: County can meet tax cap by 2015
County executive says consolidation is key to future
County Executive Dan McCoy said in his State of the County Address he wants to keep up momentum built in 2012 by continuing consolidations, establishing more partnerships, seeking ways to save money and making meaningful movement on the county nursing home.
Mabey’s in Latham to expand storage units
Plans submitted for 400 new units across three buildings on Route 9
Mabey’s Moving and Storage has hopes to expand its location on Route 9 in Latham by roughly 400 storage units in three new buildings.
Town weighs expanding development notification
Petition circulates to have more neighbors notified of impending projects
Colonie officials are considering an amendment to the town code that would expand neighbor notification requirements for developers after receiving complaints from concerned citizens.
County advocates infant safe sleeping
Albany officials say 12 infants died preventable deaths in past three years
Local health and child welfare officials, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, District Attorney David Soares and the county’s Child Fatality Review Team on Wednesday, March 6, to stress the seriousness of unsafe sleeping with babies and to announce the launch of the “Safe Sleeping” campaign to educate the public on preventing infant deaths.
Crane teachers give hope to music students
SUNY Potsdam faculty visit high school, speak about state of music industry
Several Crane teachers came to Colonie Central High School on Thursday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 1, where they performed and gave advice to students about where they can go with their musical skills. Performances included concerts by the Crane School of Music Symphony Orchestra and the Potsdam Brass Quintet.
25 years of stepping up to CF
Stair Climb at the Plaza will take place March 7
Running up 42 flights of stairs will make pretty much anyone out of breath, but for those living with cystic fibrosis, experiencing that tightness in the lungs is just part of a normal day.
Technology turns teaching upside down
North Colonie students watching lectures at home, doing work in class
Since September 2012, 60 North Colonie teachers have started dramatically changing how they teach their courses. Instead of the standard note taking in class and homework outside of class, they are making instructional videos for kids to watch at home and then spending the classroom time doing activities and labs based on the videos. It’s part of a teaching method called Flipped Learning.
Gun sellers take stock of new law
New York’s SAFE Act changing landscape for auctioneers, dealers
With tighter restrictions on guns setting in under the state’s SAFE Act, businesspeople who deal in firearms are also dealing with the new normal in New York.
The love bug gets traction
Mother seeks help in starting foundation for late Colonie child
Coping with the loss of their daughter is a daily challenge, but the Rizk family wants to make sure their little girl stays alive within the community.
McCoy vetoes legislature’s ‘stall tactics’
Executive wants legislators to pick from his list of consultants
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy has vetoed the County Legislature’s resolution to hire an outside consultant to study the nursing home issue, calling it a method to stall any decision.
New lighting goes up in airport
Investment expected to save $1.2 million over two decades
Over the past six weeks, the Albany County Airport Authority has been working on a new project to replace its 15-year-old lightning fixtures in the airport’s terminals with brand new, high efficiency LED and florescent bulbs.
New county legislator appointed
Democrat Alison McLean-Lane replaces Phil Steck
After living and working in Colonie for the majority of her life, Democrat Alison McLean-Lane says she is more than ready to take on her new role as county legislator for the 14th Legislative District.
Executive bemoans lack of action
Nursing home discussion creeps forwards as word of second bidder emerges
Debate within the Albany County Legislature on the future of the Albany County Nursing Home seems to be slowing down, and that has Albany County Executive Dan McCoy frustrated.
Grannies turn attention to gun control
Group makes domestic issue target of vigil
Dot Richards joined more than 20 other grannies and grandpas on Thursday, Feb. 14, at the busy intersection for a vigil calling for an end to gun violence, both in wartime and domestically. Cars beeped their horns every few minutes in support as protestors held signs reading “More Peace” and “War Breaks Grannies’ Hearts.”
Club works to stem budget bleeding
South Colonie embarks on budget process with bleak picture
Last fall, when members of Colonie Central High School’s Key Club heard reductions meant the school’s health office was having trouble budgeting for Band-Aids, the club took action. In a few months, the students organized a donation drive and collected more than 200 boxes of Band-Aids to hand over to nurses.
Town filters out water problems
Emergency declared to expedite filter repairs
A number of filters at the Mohawk View Water Treatment Plant need major repair, and although it will not impact the town’s drinking water, the Colonie Town Board passed a resolution on Thursday, Feb. 7, declaring an emergency so as to immediately inspect and fix the faulty filters.
Town approves mercury remediation
Cleanup at water treatment plant said to cost up to $670k
Nearly one year after mercury was discovered in the floor drains at a town water treatment plant, the Colonie Town Board passed a resolution on Thursday, Feb. 7, allowing mercury spill remediation to begin.
Coalition pitches Cohoes Crescent Road improvements
Popular options has $3.7M price tag, public to get a closer look Feb. 14
The Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition and the Town of Colonie are seeking the public’s opinion on plans to improve Cohoes Crescent Road.
Love forever
76 Diner owner Athena Loupessis has witnessed scores of Valentine’s Day engagements, including her own
The first time he proposed, she said she would think about it. He didn’t get down on one knee, but told her he thought she was the right girl for him. It was not love at first sight, she said, and she was cautious. The second time, only a few weeks later, he came to her holding a huge heart filled with candy, a single rose and a card that read “Love Forever.” This time, she said yes. It was Valentine’s Day.
Local girl is on a mission
Recent college grad looks to community in helping Nigerian kids discover art
This spring, 22-year-old Megan Ambrosino will have a one-way ticket to Ilorne, Nigeria in order to be the sole art teacher at an all-girls boarding school. If teaching halfway around the world wasn’t a big enough challenge, the school has only the bare minimum when it comes to art materials, and Ambrosino isn’t sure what kind of access she’ll have in the city to purchase supplies.
Colonie offers CPR training
Officials say 13 percent of heart attacks treated with CPR last year
In recognition of National Heart Month, the Colonie EMS Department is hosting four separate events at locations around the town for any community members to come and learn hands-only CPR.
Condo project comes back to life
Mohawk Riverfront Estates would be located near Crescent Bridge
There is renewed movement on a condominium and apartment project along the Mohawk River that has been before the Colonie Planning Board for the past three years.
Desire for utility drives donation
Beltrone resident’s ride will be used by Meals on Wheels program
When driving became more of a burden than a convenience for Beltrone Living Center resident Marge Pecoroni, she tried to figure out the best way to get rid of her 2001 maroon Mercury Sable. Selling it would be a lot of extra work and it was in too good of a condition to just send it to the junkyard. She quickly realized she could donate it straight to her residency at Colonie Senior Service Center.
Restaurant Depot opens for business
New warehouse caters only to eateries and similar businesses
Restaurant Depot, at 22 Warehouse Row in Colonie, is a 68,000-square-foot facility that sells fresh meat, poultry, seafood, produce, dairy, beverages and supplies to restaurant owners. With 100 locations nationwide, this is the only Restaurant Depot in Upstate New York, the next closest being in Hartford, Conn.
Morning traffic takes its toll
Spike in parent drop offs spur safety concerns at North Colonie school
An unexpected wave of morning traffic at a local elementary school led educators to plead with parents to keep safety in mind and send their children to school on the bus if at all possible.
Vet supporters spend a cold night raising awareness
Frigid call for help brings donations of winter clothing rolling in
The first-ever “Freeze Out” took place on Saturday, Jan. 26, into the following morning. More than 20 people slept outside on the lawn of the VFW Post at 525 Delaware Ave. to experience the grueling Capital District temperatures the way homeless veterans do.
Kid composer hits a high note
Roessleville student’s work recognized at a young age
Come April, Shashaank Narayanan will take his one of his compositions, “Mystery Cave,” to the Young Composer Concert in Hartford, Conn., where his piece will be performed as the winning entry in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Young Composers Contest. Narayanan’s piece was one of 14 winning compositions selected among entries from elementary through graduate school-aged applicants.
Feeding the northeast
Huge food donation results from record holiday giving
Part of what was labeled an historic food donation rumbled into the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York Tuesday, Jan. 15, ensuring thousands of people will have food on the table this winter.
Students respond with acts of kindness
Colonie Central club asks peers for 26 kind acts in wake of Newtown
Colonie Central High School’s iCARE program, which launched last year, aims to promote anti-bullying but also inspire good character. After the Newtown, Conn., shooting, the group came up with a campaign for the school’s nearly 2,000 students to commit 26 acts of kindness over 26 days in honor of each of the victims. I
Safer strolling planned for Route 9
State project will see sidewalks from Fiddlers Lane to Newtown Plaza
Come next year, the Town of Colonie will hopefully have something it’s been lacking: sidewalks.
North Colonie braces for tough times
Meeting’s audience supports exceeding tax cap to meet fiscal challenges
Nearly 100 North Colonie residents, students, parents and teachers filled the Shaker High School Media Center on Monday, Jan. 14, to hear the problems that lay before the district in the coming years.
Project sheds new light on tech class
South Colonie students build, sell sheds as spring project
As part of their yearly tradition, students in the Colonie Central High School construction classes are building garden sheds available for purchase by the public. The sheds are sized 8 feet by 10 feet, and according to technology teacher John Gehres, they are better than anything you can get at the big box stores.
Lia Honda to expand parking lot
Plans redrawn after neighbors bring forward concerns
After hearing complaints from those living on neighboring streets, Lia Honda on Central Avenue has changed its plans for a parking lot expansion and received a new concept acceptance from the Colonie Planning Board.
2012 called a ‘banner year’ for Colonie
Supervisor says coming year will see more growth and progress
In her sixth State of the Town speech, Supervisor Paula Mahan described Colonie as a town that has returned to fiscal stability and is on the brink of embracing a slew of changes in 2013.
Smaller legislature pitched
County executive wants term limits on his office
As 2013 begins to take shape, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy is urging changes in the legislature. Specifically, its size.
Here’s looking at you, town
Chamber honors the most beautiful businesses in Colonie
A new Colonie Chamber of Commerce award is recognizing not the shrewdest entrepreneur or the most community-minded mogul, but three businesses that enhance the beauty of the town.
Red, two sugars
Dunkin’ Donuts, Red Cross team up on coffee-for-blood drive
For the past six years, Dunkin’ Donuts has teamed up with the American Red Cross for the “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” campaign, in which blood donors can give a pint of blood and receive a free pound of coffee in return.
Vets want to remember the fallen
Project to hang memorial flags seeks community support
Since World War II, more than 560 Capital District residents have lost their lives while serving the country and Regan, a Vietnam veteran, knows these fallen soldiers need to be remembered.
Colonie Town Board heads into 2013
Housekeeping measures, appointments, taken care of in organizational meeting
The Colonie Town Board made a number of appointments and reappointments to town posts at its annual reorganization meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3.
Let history take its course
Course will examine the archaeological record of biblical times
On Monday, Jan. 7, Steven Stark-Riemer will begin teaching “Archaeology and History of Ancient Israel.” The eight-session course will dive into the development of biblical archaeology by looking at several time periods and how events later affected the lives of the people who now live in the Middle East.
Bassist lays down a top score
Colonie’s Tristen Jarvis follows a passion for music
Tristen Jarvis has a 97 GPA, but more important to him, he plays the double bass in the Empire State Youth Orchestra; his school’s Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band; the Empire State Youth Jazz Ensemble; three side band projects; and he sings in Chamber Singers, to name just a few musical projects.
The old man and the book
Colonie man’s poems and vignettes a slice of life at 84
Gordon Jevons’ preparation for his checkup is just one of the everyday events he explores in his first book of poetry and vignettes, “Grandpa Gordon’s Book of Light Hearted Poetry and Anecdotes,” published by The Troy Book Makers last month.
Colonie congratulates young athletes
2012 a banner year for cheerleading and football programs
At this year’s final Colonie Town Board meeting on Thursday, Dec. 20, Town Supervisor Paula Mahan took a short break from the agenda to honor three Colonie youth sports teams and their recent achievements.