Water Main Break on Grandview Avenue in Cohoes

COHOES, N.Y.-

The City of Cohoes is currently experiencing a water main break on Grandview Avenue. The main water supply will be shut off in the immediate and surrounding areas until crews can locate and fix the break. Other residents may experience low pressure and brown water. Although the water is safe, all residents are advised to check their running water before doing laundry or any sort of cooking for precautionary measures. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Code Blue Issued in Capital District for February 27 and 28

The Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS) is issuing a newhomeless Code Blue alert for Fri Feb 27 and Sat Feb 28.  

Homeless persons can go directly to either the Capital City Rescue Mission at 259 S. Pearl Street or the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless Drop-In Center at 26 South Swan Street.  The Homeless Action Committee will assist with transportation and outreach.  HATAS will assist with placement, referrals, and information (463-2124 during business hours and 463-2124 x 4 after-hours). 

A Code Blue is called when the temperature is expected to reach ten degrees or less (including the wind chill) or when 12 inches or more of snow is forecasted. 

Ramps from Route 9 to I‑90 Eastbound in Albany to Close Saturday

Press Release from DOT:

Motorists are advised that the on-ramps from Route 9 onto Interstate 90 in Albany will be closed on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as part of a joint replacement project on the I-90 bridges over Broadway and North Pearl Street.

Motorists coming from Route 9 wishing to access eastbound I‑90 will be detoured to I‑90 westbound instead, where they can loop around at Exit 5 (Everett Road) to head eastbound.

Motorists will also see single lane closures on I-90 in both directions over Broadway and North Pearl Street and on the I-787 ramps to westbound I-90 during the work on Saturday.

It is imperative that motorists remember to drive carefully in the vicinity of this construction zone, for their own safety and the safety of workers.

Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.

"Cowspiracy" Documentary Will Be Shown at HVCC March 3

The Animal Outreach Club together with the New York State Humane Association are VERY excited to present the well-renowned documentary "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" Tuesday , March 3 from 6:30pm to 9pm in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre.  Anyone who cares about the environment and animals needs to see this documentary.  Opening remarks will be made by Kathy Stevens, Founder and Director of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and former educator. See http://casanctuary.org/

The link on the Animal Outreach Club site is located: http://clubs.hvcc.edu/wordpress/animaloutreach/2015/01/08/cowspiracy-film-screening-march-3-2015/ .

THIS IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Factory Farming and its impact on global warming and the environment is a critical issue of our time.  We need education on this.  Here is a summary of the issue, followed by a link to FAQS about the documentary and facts about factory farming's impact on our environment - and how we need to wake up.

Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret is a groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary following intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it.

Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry, and is a primary driver of rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion, ocean “dead zones,” and virtually every other environmental ill. Yet it goes on, almost entirely unchallenged.

As Andersen approaches leaders in the environmental movement, he increasingly uncovers what appears to be an intentional refusal to discuss the issue of animal agriculture, while industry whistleblowers and watchdogs warn him of the risks to his freedom and even his life if he dares to persist.

As eye-opening as Blackfish and as inspiring as An Inconvenient Truth, this shocking yet humorous documentary reveals the absolutely devastating environmental impact large-scale factory farming has on our planet, and offers a path to global sustainability for a growing population.

http://www.cowspiracy.com/facts/

County Executive McCoy Lays Out Mandate Relief Agenda and County Fiscal Requests to State Legislators

   

In testimony before the State Joint Legislative Fiscal Committees, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today offered the county’s fiscal priorities and budget requests for the 2015-16 state budget. McCoy joined numerous other local and elected officials who testified today before the committee.

“Over the last two years, Albany County has been under the tax cap and if we are going to continue that trend we need to partner with the state to address the unfunded mandates we face,” said McCoy. “I want to continue the progress we’ve made and look forward to working with the legislature to keep us moving forward.”             

In his testimony McCoy offered the county’s requests to the legislature and issues that the state should address to benefit New Yorkers, ease the burden on taxpayers, protect the environment and public safety.

The requests included:    

·         Due to the increase in shipping of crude oil through Albany, the County Executive called on the legislature to provide funding to prevent and respond to oil spills at the Port of Albany. The Governor has proposed $15 million in investments at the port. McCoy said some of that should be provided for safety.

·         A request that the legislature enact legislation that would provide equal justice under the law for indigent defendants. McCoy has drafted a bill that would require the state to fund the Assigned Counsel program, which would relieve this underfunded mandate. The bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy and has the support of NYSAC and the Albany County Bar Association.

·         The County Executive requested that the legislature address the issue of chargebacks to the county for students attending Hudson Valley Community College. He requested that the state accelerate enact reforms proposed by SUNY in the “State University of New York Chargeback In Methodology and Plan.” This would require host counties to contribute a fair amount compared to non-host counties such as Albany County.  Since 2006 the county’s contributions to HVCC have doubled from $4.9 million annually to $8.8 million. In contrast Rensselaer County’s share has increased minimally in that time, just $500,000 over the same time frame.

·         The County Executive urged the legislature to support Governor Cuomo’s proposal to cap the county mandated costs of youth detention placement in state facilities and to end retroactive billing for the county. The county has yet to reconcile charges from 2011 and has not received bills for 2012, 2013 or 2014. The cost to the county is in excess of $2 million annually.

  

Route 86 Bridge in Wilmington to Close Starting Monday

Motorists are advised that the Route 86 bridge over the West Branch of the Ausable River in Wilmington, Essex County, will be closed starting on Monday, March 2 for a bridge replacement project.

The new bridge is expected to be opened in time for June 1.

The Department will post signs alerting residents and visitors that businesses near the bridge are open.

The Department is replacing the aging bridge, which opened in 1935 and carries approximately 2,000 motor vehicles per day. Shoulders on the new structure will be widened to allow for safer bicycle use. Decorative lighting will also be installed. Overhead utility lines on and near the bridge will also be relocated. The Department is using precast concrete components as part of the construction of the new bridge to help minimize the closure duration.

Detours will be posted directing motorists to Springfield Road (Essex County Road 83) and Fox Farm Road (Essex County Road 63).

The bridge will also be closed to pedestrians during the closure period.

Route 86 crosses the West Branch of the Ausable River twice. The one being replaced is in the hamlet area, not the one out by the Hungry Trout.

It is imperative that motorists remember to drive carefully in the vicinity of this construction zone, for their own safety and the safety of workers.

Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org, or our new mobile site at m.511ny.org.

Follow New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT. Find us on Facebook atfacebook.com/NYSDOT. For tweets from New York State DOT Region 1 (covering the Capital Region), follow @NYSDOTAlbany.

Waterford Public Library Celebrates 120 Years

On Saturday, Feb. 28 from Noon to 2pm, the Waterford Library welcomes all to an Open House, celebrating its 120th Anniversary as a public library. 

Join the Library Trustees, Friends of the Library, staff and library lovers for refreshments, and a special ceremony. A slideshow with some 50 years of photo memories will debut, as will a new exhibit in our display case. Patrons are encouraged to bring photos from library programs and visits to share. 

For additional information please contact the library at 237-0891, or watpublibrary@gmail.com

Draft Conservation Plan for Bald Eagles in New York State Now Available for Public Review and Comment

Comments Accepted Until April 10

A proposed conservation plan to manage New York’s population of the bald eagle is now available for public review and comment, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced Monday.  The Conservation Plan for Bald Eagles in New York State describes the historic and current status of the bald eagle in the state and provides guidelines for future management actions.  “New York State was instrumental in the restoration and recovery of the bald eagle in the northeast United States and continues to play an important role in providing suitable habitat for our nation’s symbol,” Commissioner Martens said. “Since the bald eagle depends primarily on freshwater rivers, lakes and streams for its food, a flourishing eagle population is a good indicator of New York’s high quality water ways. Conservation of the bald eagle and its habitat plays an important role in preserving our biodiversity and ecosystem health. The plan aims to maintain the bald eagle’s geographic diversity and ultimately ensure a healthy population within the state.” The bald eagle, currently listed as a threatened species in New York, continues to make a remarkable recovery across the state.  The Conservation Plan serves as a guide for landowners, resource managers, local government agencies and other stakeholders to manage and perpetuate the bald eagle and its habitat in New York.  This plan is also intended to inform the public of actions recommended to achieve the goal of a continued healthy bald eagle population, including its essential habitat and the ecosystems it depends upon. The plan establishes objectives for bald eagles in New York and lays out actions to accomplish those objectives.  Key objectives include: ·         Maintain a statewide average breeding bald eagle population of at least 200 breeding pairs. ·         Maintain protection of our significant wintering bald eagle population.    Key actions to meet these objectives include:  Consult with landowners, developers, business and industry to ensure that proposed projects occurring near eagle nesting and wintering locations avoid or minimize impacts to bald eagles that may result from the potential impacts of: o   Land clearing; o   Increased human disturbance; o   Collisions with cars, trains, electric lines, wind turbines and other structures; and, o   Environmental contaminants including lead and PCBs. Work collaboratively with landowners to limit human disturbance, address the risk of predation and gather information on the status of nests by building partnerships between landowners, NYSDEC, local land trusts, environmental groups, and volunteers. Discourage the intentional feeding of bald eagles to avoid potential exposure to contamination and disease. Collect dead eagles for necropsy to determine cause of death and assessment of exposure to heavy metals, toxins, and disease before sending along all eagle carcasses to the National Eagle Repository. Monitoring the distribution and abundance of breeding and wintering bald eagles in New York State at a level suitable to ensure objectives are met, incorporating volunteers where possible.  Additional information on bald eagles can be found on DEC’s web-site at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/74052.html.  Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF copies of the Draft Conservation Plan for Bald Eagles in New York State may be downloaded directly fromftp://ftp.dec.state.ny.us/dfwmr/wildlife/baea/. DEC will accept comments on the draft plan until Friday, April 10, 2015. Comments or questions should be addressed by email towildlife@dec.ny.gov (note “bald eagle” in the subject line), or by phone, contact Dan Rosenblatt at 518-402-8884. Comments can also be mailed to DEC’s Wildlife Diversity Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

Make A Wish to Benefit From Bags 2 Riches Game at Price Chopper

Price Chopper Supermarkets’ Bags 2 Riches game will give away millions in prizes to shoppers, and you can help the contest support Make-A-Wish! In addition to prizes for shoppers, the company has donated $25,000 to be shared among five charities, with the actual amounts determined by “votes” from game participants.

Customers receive a game ticket for every $25 spent at Price Chopper or Market Bistro. One in three tickets will reveal a food prize or discount, while other tickets will be part of a collect-and-win game. Finally, some tickets will reveal PINs (Personal Identification Numbers), which can be used to enter to win at the game’s web site.

Participants who enter their PINs will have the opportunity to cast votes for one of five charity organizations, who will share $25,000, based on the percentage of votes received. Right now, Make-A-Wish is in the lead, but we need your help!

According to local Make-A-Wish chapter CEO William Trigg, this donation opportunity will help make a difference in making wishes a reality for local kids and teens.

 “We’re encouraging players to select Make-A-Wish to support through this game, with the knowledge that their vote will help grant wishes for local kids facing life-threatening medical conditions. We appreciate the support from Price Chopper, and the vote of confidence from players who select Make-A-Wish as their charity of choice.”

Snow Removal in Cohoes Continues Friday

COHOES, N.Y.- The City of Cohoes will be doing SNOW REMOVAL on Friday, Feb. 20 starting at 7am:

Columbia Street (from Central Ave to Walnut Street)
Masten Ave
Amity Street
Oak Street
Cataract Street (PARKING LOT ONLY)

Parking will be restricted on BOTH sides of street. "NO PARKING" SIGNS WILL BE POSTED ACCORDINGLY.

**Vehicles in violation of the snow removal process will be ticketed and towed at the owners expense.

Sex Offender Found Guilty for Failing to Register Address

District Attorney P. David Soares announced that SHAWN KELLY, 30, of Albany, was found guilty after bench trial of (1) Count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a Class D Felony, before the Honorable Peter A. Lynch in Albany County Court yesterday afternoon.

KELLY is a New York State Level 1 Registered Sex Offender and did fail to notify the Albany Police Department, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, or any other lawfully reporting agencies, within 10 days of his change of address from when he moved in June 2013. At trial, proof showed that KELLY resided in the City of Albany between the end of December 2014 and the beginning of May 2014.  This is KELLY’s second conviction for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender.

In 2006 KELLY was convicted for (1) Count of Rape in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony, in Saratoga County and was designated a Level 1 Sex Offender.

KELLEY faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in State Prison when sentenced on April 15, 2015.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer McCanney of the Special Victims Unit is prosecuting this case.

HVCC Student Received Sheriff's Association Scholarship

Rensselaer County Undersheriff Pat Russo presented Matt Hopper, a criminal justice major at Hudson Valley Community College, the New York State Sheriff’s Association (NYSSA) Institute’s 2015 Criminal Justice Scholarship.

Every year NYSSA awards academically outstanding full-time students majoring in criminal justice or police science a $250 scholarship while attending a community college in New York State. 

HVCC Professor Shawna Addison, HVCC Student Matt Hopper, and Rensselaer County Undersheriff Pat Russo

“I want to thank NYSSA for supporting these students and HVCC for the opportunity to meet Matt Hopper,” said Undersheriff Pat Russo.  “Matt is very enthusiastic about his future, his focus and hard work will take him a long way in law enforcement. While speaking to him he expressed his intent to continue his education and to pursue his career in criminal justice.”

Capital Region BOCES and Questar III New Visions students win 2015 State Championship

First time an upstate program has won the competition.

ALBANY -- For the first time in the program’s history, a Capital Region team has won the “We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution” competition New York State Finals in Albany state championship.

The Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School’s New Visions: Law & Government team – consisting of students from Capital Region BOCES and Questar III – bested nearly 150 of their peers from five other school districts from across the state on Feb. 7. The team now advances to the national competition held in Washington, D.C. on April 24-April 27.

It is the first win by any upstate school in the competition’s 28-year history.

To win, the students showed an “amazing” knowledge of the constitution and government.

The New Visions: Law & Government students, who attend the program for a half-day and their home high schools the other half, had to explain the philosophical and historical foundations on which the American political system is based.

During a simulated congressional hearing, the students "testified" before a panel of judges to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles, and they evaluated, took, and defended positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. The 10 New Visions: Law & Government students competed and won beat out five other regional champion teams ranging from 12 to 36-students from Long Island, New York City and western New York, said their teacher, attorney Rich Bader.

The winning New Visions: Law & Government student team consists of students: Vincent Caruso from Averill Park, Jeremy Clement from Troy, Austin Czechowski from Cobleskill-Richmondville, Thomas Fischer from Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Keily Linger from Windham-Ashland-Jewett, Emilia Sacco from Schalmont, David Simon from Catskill, Kenneth Stevenson from Coxsackie-Athens, Emily Taylor from Cohoes and Keefe Watson from East Greenbush.

Jay Worona, general counsel and deputy executive director of the New York State School Board Association, and a national Constitutional Law expert, said that the New Visions: Law & Government team’s performance and depth and breadth of knowledge was “truly impressive”.

Bader said “the New Visions: Law & Government students prepared for the competition in part by studying ‘We The People: The Citizen and Constitution’, an intensive curriculum focusing on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.” Funded and run in New York by the New York State Bar Association’s Law Youth and Citizenship program since 2010 when Congress cut funding this civic education program, the program has benefited 30 million students nationally during its 28-year history.

New Visions: Law & Government is a career-exploration and honors Advance Placement and college-credit-granting program offered by the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School for honors-level, college-bound high school seniors. Participating students attend the program for a half day and their home high schools the other half of the school day. In a classroom located at the State Education Building in downtown Albany, New Visions: Law & Government students study an integrated curriculum of advanced coursework in political science, law, English and economics, with government and law-related internships, job shadowing, field trips, community service and competitions. Students learn first-hand about the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, as well as about the private legal sector.

Applications for the program are being accepted through March 20 from high school juniors for the 2015-16 school year. An open house will be conducted on Feb. 11 from 8:30- 10:30 a.m. at the Capital Region Career and Technical Education Center, building B, 1015 Watervliet-Shaker Rd., Colonie. An evening open house for all New Visions programs will be held at the same location on from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 4.

For more information, call (518) 486-2613 or visithttp://capitalregionboces.org/CareerTech/Programs/NVLG.cfm.
The Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School also offers New Visions programs in Health & Medicine and Journalism & Media Studies and New Visions programs in STEM at RPI (Pre-Engineering), Scientific Research and World Health at the SUNY School of Public Health, and Visual and Performing Arts at the Arts Center/Russell Sage, through Questar III.

Local Cancer Walk Raises Nearly $300,000 for Research and Patient Services

Top Fundraising Teams and Volunteers Recognized at LLS Awards Ceremony

Revolution Hall (Troy, NY) filled with nearly 200 team captains and walkers, sponsors and key volunteers on February 10^th as the Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) recognized top fundraisers and leading sponsors for its annual Light The Night^®Walk, which raised over $296,000 in 2014 for blood cancer patients and their families.

Awardees included: 

§  Avery’s Army, led by Team Captain Erika Lyons - Top Friends & Family Team ($14,722)

§  Price Chopper/Wicked Strong, co-captained by Tom Hayden andPatrick Kenneally -Top Corporate Team ($12,481

§  International Built-In Systems, led by Team Captain Jason Kenney-“Rookie of the Year Team” ($11,720)

§  Tami Gunsch, SVP Berkshire Bank, won both the Executive Challengeand Top Individual Fundraiser titles, with a record $5,159 in personal individual fundraising.

New fundraising records were also set by three Light the Night Corporate Champions:

§  Rifenburg Companies -$62,100 in Total Corporate Impact

§  Price Chopper - $23,981 in Total Corporate Impact

§  Berkshire Bank - $23,091 in Total Corporate Impact

“We were there [at the Walk] to show cancer that we are bigger, stronger, and would fight harder to get rid of it forever.  We will be back again year after year to show cancer that we won't give up, that we will fight back, and we will win!”recounts Erika Lyons, Avery’s Army Team Captain.  Her daughter Avery, who just celebrated her third birthday, is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia at Albany Medical Center.  

“Approximately every three minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer,” states Maureen O’Brien Thornton, Executive Director of the UNY/VT Chapter, adding that, “an estimated combined total of 156,420 people in the US were expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2014.”  Someone in the US dies from a blood cancer every 10 minutes; financial contributions, such as those raised at the Light the Night Walk, have helped to more than double the survival rate for Hodgkin, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia since the 1960s.

LLS holds Light the Night Walks each fall in approximately 200 communities across the United States and Canada. Participants at the walks carry illuminated lanterns – white for patients and survivors, red for supporters, and gold in memory of loved ones lost – to honor and commemorate lives touched by blood cancer. In the Capital Region, the Walk will take place on Saturday, October 10^th, 2015 at Siena College. Carol Miller, Director of Special Events, and Dona Stone, PHR Director of Human Resources at Rifenburg Companies, will continue serving as Corporate Walk Co-Chairs of the 2015 Light The Night^® Walk.

Funds raised through corporate and individual contributions help to find cures and better therapies for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and myeloma, as well as provide information, education and support for patients and their families.  To find out more, visit:    www.lightthenight.org/uny

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Rensselaer County Sheriff Asks Public's Help in Outstanding Warrants

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Kaela R. Holland, age 25, of Troy, NY for questioning in reference to an on-going burglary investigation.

The outstanding warrants for Kaela R. Holland are; Forgery, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Failing to Appear. Additional criminal charges are pending regarding the burglary investigation. 

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Holland, you are urged to contact Sergeant Shane J. Holcomb at 518-266-1981 or the Rensselaer County Crime Tip line at 518-270-0128. All calls are Confidential.

UPDATE: Brunswick Couple "Lucky To Be Alive" Following Morning Accident on Collar City Bridge

UPDATE (Feb. 17):
NYS Department of Transportation officials have said the snow on the shoulders of Alternate Route 7 has been removed.

TROY >> A Brunswick couple is “lucky to be alive” after their truck spun out of control on Alternate Route 7 and drove off the Collar City Bridge on packed snow on the side of the bridge which acted like a ramp, police said.
The unidentified couple, in their mid-30s, was driving westbound on Alternate Route 7 around 6:20 a.m. when their Toyota Tunda truck became out of control due to ice on the bridge.
“They hit a snowbank on the side of the bridge and it was like a ramp,” said Troy Police Capt. Dan DeWolf. “They went up and over, and landed on the roof of the vehicle in another snowbank. They’re lucky to be alive.”
DeWolf said they landed in a parking lot area near 5th Avenue behind the new Unity House facility on 6th Avenue. A snowbank on the ground broke some of the fall.
Both the male driver and his female passenger complained of some pain following the incident. They were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, DeWolf said. Their current conditions were not immediately available.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Similar accidents involving a snowbank acting like a ramp have happened before both locally and regionally. DeWolf commented that the roads would be safer if the snow was removed from the sides of the bridge.
The Collar City Bridge was later closed down for about 30 minutes starting at around 7:30 a.m. to further salt the bridge. Other accidents were reported on the on-ramps and off-ramps of Alternate Route 7 on the bridge due to slippery conditions, said DeWolf.
“The issue is that it’s too cold for the salt to really work,” he added. “The State Department of Transportation put down a lot of salt, even before the accidents.”
Danielle Sanzone may be reached at 290-8362.

This information came from the NYSDOT after deadline:

"the right shoulder areas on the bridge in both directions have been cleared, as well as the left shoulder area on the eastbound side of the bridge, and half of the left shoulder area on the westbound side of the bridge. The remaining shoulder work should be cleared within the next 24 hours, weather permitting."

 From NYSDOT spokesman Bryan Viggiani:

"Safety is our number one priority, and during the heart of a snowstorm, that means removing the roadway of snow to make travel safe for all motorists. Once the storm passes and the travel lanes are clear of snow, we then focus on the post-storm clean-up, which includes removing snow from the shoulders, catch basins and sides of bridges. Post-storm operations usually takes many days following the snowfall, depending on the amount and the intensity of the previous storms. We continue to urge the public to drive with extreme caution during the snow season, even after the travel lanes are free of snow."

American Diabetes Association to host kick off event for 2015 Tour de Cure

AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION SETS 2/26 KICK OFF EVENT FOR 2015 SARATOGA TOUR DE CURE

ALBANY, NY (Feb. 13, 2015) — The American Diabetes Association (ADA) will hold a kick off celebration and dinner for the 2015 Saratoga Tour de Cure, presented by Empire BlueCross, on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the Glen Sanders Mansion, 1 Glen Ave., Scotia.

The event, which offers prospective participants an opportunity to learn about the Tour de Cure — the Capital Region’s premier cycling event dedicated to preventing and finding a cure for diabetes — will feature a presentation by Jim Steele, a Red Rider who will speak about the highs and lows of living with Type 1 diabetes and coping with his daughter’s recent diabetes diagnosis. Steele, who is host of the Jim Steele Show on TV-16 (Channel Albany), will participate in his third Tour de Cure on a team called “Sweet Broadcasters.”

“The evening will also give those new to the event an opportunity to meet fellow riders, learn about building a team and training, while celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the American Diabetes Association,” said ADA Associate Director Denise Nicastro.  “We will also have interactive stations and information about online fundraising, team captain leadership,bike maintenance with bike shop representatives and Red Riders, as well as door prizes featuring vintage tour gear.”

RSVP by contacting Justine Carroll at (518) 218-1755 x 3632 or jucarroll@diabetes.org. The event is free for riders who have signed up for the Tour and $25 for guests. Registration for the kickoff closes on Feb. 20.

The annual ride — which takes place on Sunday, June 7 — is part of a nationwide movement to Stop Diabetes® and change the future of the nearly 30 million Americans living with the disease. Designed for everyone from the novice biker to the experienced cyclist, the Tour de Cure includes 10-, 28-, 50-, 62.5- and 100-mile routes. The 2014 Saratoga Tour de Cure raised $1,307,100, making it the second highest performing Tour in the nation behind Napa Valley ($1,406,878).  All proceeds raised support the association’s mission — to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

“Individuals who register early are able to raise more money for this tremendous cause because they become tied to the mission and have a better chance of activating their fundraising network,” added ADA Director of Albany and Central New York Amy Young. “We are hoping to recruit even more family and corporate teams this year to fulfill our goal and advance the mission of the organization.”

For more information and to register for the Tour de Cure, visit diabetes.org/saratoga. The early bird registration fee is $15 and there is a $200 fundraising minimum for all riders. From the home page, you can also link to the event's Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Community pages.

Event sponsors include: Empire BlueCross (Presenting), Mazzone Hospitality, Saratoga Water, Swagelok, Hodorowski Homes, Abele Builders, CDPHP, M + W Group, Geico Albany, Cohoes Savings Foundation, New York Legal Publishing Corp., Wells Fargo, Marini Home Builders, Vent Fitness, Lia Auto Group, M & T Bank, H.L. Gage Sales, Golub Foundation, L.L. Bean, Lawn Dawg, Key Bank, SaxBST, Vincy’s Printing, Berkshire Bank, O’Connell & Aronowitz, and Novo Nordisk. Media partners are: CBS-6 and Fly 92.3.

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Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease. The association serves the community by funding research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes, providing credible information about thedisease, giving voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes, anddelivering services to people with diabetes, their families and health careprofessionals. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org.

Regular Garbage Pick-Up Monday in Troy, But Not in Cohoes

From respective media announcements:

Troy officials: Garbage and recycling pickup notice

TROY, NY – Following this week’s Snow Emergency in the City of Troy, officials have announced that regular garbage pickup will take place on Monday, February 16. Additionally, crews will be working to collect any garbage and/or recycling (blue bins) that were not picked up as a result of the Snow Emergency. Affected residents may put these items out on Monday.

* No Garbage or Recycling Pickup on Monday, February 16, 2015*

 

COHOES, N.Y.-

 

Monday, February 16, 2015, President’s Day, is a holiday for the Department of Public Works. There will be no garbage collection in the city on that day. Garbage, recyclables and newspapers normally scheduled for pickup on Monday should be placed at curbside on Monday evening for collection onTuesday, February 17, 2015.  City Hall will also be closed. 

D.A.R.E. Awards Given in Lansingburgh's Rensselaer Park Elementary School

Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) graduation ceremony was held at Rensselaer Park Elementary, Lansingburgh on February 6th. 

Students were awarded certificates of completion from Rensselaer County’s Deputy Russo. The D.A.R.E. program teaches students good decision-making skills to help those lead safe and responsible lives. The new curriculum of D.A.R.E. (Define, Assess, Respond, Evaluate) focuses more on decision-making processes and how to apply that to any aspect of life.

(Photo: Deputy Russo, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, winning students for best essay and best overall in class)

County Legislature Supports Bond Refinancing Expected to Save Taxpayers $1.2 Million

The Rensselaer County Legislature voted at the Tuesday, February 10 regular monthly meeting to support a bond refinancing that is expected to save county taxpayers $1.2 million.

The refinancing of $15.2 million in existing debt takes advantage of lower interest rates and a favorable market. The county was able to utilize the county’s strong bond rating to help leverage the savings.

“This is a significant savings, and demonstrates how the county’s strong financial position and positive bond rating can help generate a savings for taxpayers,” said Vice Chair for Finance Phil Danaher.

Danaher thanked the fiscal and budget staff of County Executive Kathleen Jimino for helping generate the savings through the bond refinancing at the February 10 meeting.

Rensselaer County has been able to stay under the state tax cap each of the past four years while protecting needed county services. The county has earned positive financial reviews and upgrades in the county’s bond rating during the past several years despite significant increases in unfunded state and federal mandates.

The County Legislature has helped by keeping costs for operation of the legislative offices comparable to the early 1990s. The county insurance policy administered by the County Legislature has remained lower than the early 1990s.

“The bond refinancing approved by the County Legislature demonstrates a commitment by Rensselaer County to protect taxpayers and needed services through effective management and reduction of unnecessary expenses,” said Majority Leader Ken Herrington.

“The savings of $1.2 million is significant and will help the county administer needed services at a cost that is affordable to our taxpayers,” said Chair of the Legislature Martin Reid.

The refinancing of existing county bonds was approved at the February 10 legislative meeting by a vote of 16-0.