The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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The Uncle Sam Parking Garage Will Come Down

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by Doug la Rocque
The Troy Planning Commission is expected to hear plans within the next couple of months to take down the Uncle Sam parking Garage in Troy, located adjacent to the Troy Atrium between Third and Fourth Streets. The garage has been closed for more than a year, when chunks of concrete started falling. Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello tells The Eastwick Press she has requested the Planning Commission ensure that landscaping and trees be planted around the site and that the aftermath of the demolition be kept clean and safe while plans are made to redevelop the former garage location. [Read more…] about The Uncle Sam Parking Garage Will Come Down

Hoosick Town Council Meeting

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Road Study Approved

by Doug La Rocque
Two of the more important takeaways from the Monday, April 11 meeting of the Hoosick Town Council both involved transportation. First, Supervisor Mark Surdam was notified shortly before the meeting that the Town’s application to the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) for funding to complete an Assessment Management Plan to address the long-term needs of the Town’s roads has been approved. The second also involves CDTC, with Supervisor Surdam announcing he has been appointed to serve on that committee, one of only two Town and Village voting members. [Read more…] about Hoosick Town Council Meeting

Hoosick Falls Village Board

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Residency Becomes Part of the Police Review Board Debate

by Doug La Rocque
Last spring, following an executive order from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Hoosick Falls Village Board formed a committee to begin a review of the policies and practices of the Village Police Department. Part of their report was the suggestion the Village form a Civilian and Reform Board to assist and advise the department, though they would lack any regulatory powers. To that effect, a local law was drafted and a public hearing on such was held at their Tuesday, April 12 meeting. There were no speakers. 

Later in the evening, when it came time to vote on the law, [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls Village Board

Monday Fires Destroy Two Buildings

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by Doug La Rocque

Stephentown firefighters were called out on Monday evening, April 4, to battle flames at an unoccupied structure at 345 West Road. The first units on the scene reported the building to be fully engulfed in flames and called for mutual aid from Berlin and Lebanon Valley, while the Hancock Fire Department was placed on standby. According to Sidewinder Photography on the scene, firefighters had to lay a significant amount of hose from the water source to battle the flames.  [Read more…] about Monday Fires Destroy Two Buildings

Mrs. Kent Honored as Principal of the Year

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Submitted by BCS Communications

Congratulations to Berlin Elementary School Principal Mrs. Tracy Kent, who was awarded the 2022 Principal of the Year honor by the Greater Capital Region Principal Center and the Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA).

The Principal of the Year award recognizes a principal for exemplary leadership qualities (highlighted by the unique challenges of the pandemic) who has made a difference in the lives of their students.

Tracy Kent has been in the field of education for 29 years. For 18 of those years Tracy was a classroom teacher. She transitioned into administration 11 years ago and has spent the last eight years as the principal of Berlin Elementary School. [Read more…] about Mrs. Kent Honored as Principal of the Year

Former Fire Chief Sentenced for Arson 

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Submitted by the Rensselaer County District Attorneys Office
Former Schaghticoke Fire Chief Matthew Woelfersheim pled guilty in Rensselaer County Court before the Honorable Jennifer G. Sober to one count of Arson in the Second Degree (class B felony), one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (class E felony), one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree and one count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (misdemeanor). [Read more…] about Former Fire Chief Sentenced for Arson 

Troy Winter Lighting Festival

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The Arts Center of the Capital Region, the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Troy BID are thrilled to announce Troy Glo, a dazzling new winter lighting festival opening the night of the 40th annual Victorian Stroll. The size and sophistication of the artwork is expected to draw an estimated 25,000 visitors from the Capital Region and beyond over the course of a month. Creative development for Troy Glo will be managed by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.

The Arts Center is seeking artists to design temporary public light art installations at various locations in Downtown Troy. With creative and artistic support from an experienced artist and curator, a team of five artists will be commissioned to design a series of temporary light art pieces throughout the Downtown shopping and dining district. [Read more…] about Troy Winter Lighting Festival

HVCC No Cost Summer Courses for HS Students 

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Submitted by Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) will offer more than 50 college-level courses for rising high school juniors and seniors this summer with an added incentive: tuition and fees will be completely funded through a college scholarship, and textbooks will be provided at no cost for students. The scholarship offer covers up to eight credits.

The same incentive was offered last year, and nearly 1,000 students from around the Capital Region took advantage of the opportunity.

“We want to do everything in our power to make our summer College in the High School courses even more accessible,” said President Roger Ramsammy. “By offering a full scholarship on tuition and providing open educational resources or free textbooks, we are offering an incredible opportunity for students to get a jump start on their college career while still in high school.” [Read more…] about HVCC No Cost Summer Courses for HS Students