The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Allison J. Hall Sr. – Obituary

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Berlin – Allison J. “Bud” Hall, Sr., 75, died Saturday evening, May 28, 2022 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

He was born in Hoosick Falls on May 5, 1947, the son of the late Earl Allison and Lillian Travis Hall.  He was raised and educated in Petersburgh and has been a resident of Berlin for over 55 years. 

Bud was employed as a machinist by Oak Mitsui in Hoosick Falls for over 30 years before retiring. He currently was employed by the Town of Berlin at the Transfer Station for the past 14 years. [Read more…] about Allison J. Hall Sr. – Obituary

Brunswick Walmart Fire

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Late Thursday evening, May 26, several fire departments responded to a working fire at the Walmart store on Hoosick Road (NYS Route 7) in Brunswick. According to fire officials the blaze started in some dog bedding. While the blaze was quickly knocked down by police and the Brunswick 1 firefighters, the store suffered from both smoke and water damage. It was closed on Friday and Saturday but the doors were back open on Sunday morning. Not all of the store was available for shopping, however, as large plastic curtains covered the Health and Beauty, Lawn and Gardening, Pets, Toys and Automotive sections. When these particular departments might re-open was not announced as of press time.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Rensselaer County Fire Investigators and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries were reported.

[Read more…] about Brunswick Walmart Fire

Hoags Corners Fire Destroys Large Home

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When the first firefighters arrived on the scene at 30 Taborton Road in the Hoags Corners fire district (Town of Nassau) they reported the structure was fully involved and sounded both a second and third alarm. Fire Departments from many portions of the county responded.

Trucking enough water to the scene was a concern as was exploding propane tanks that reportedly also set some nearby woods on fire. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

3 alarm fire in Nassau

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Firefighters from many departments in Renssealer County are battling at 3 alarm fire Thursday afternoon at 30 Taberton Road in the town of Nassau. More information as it becomes available.

Grant Funding Hopes to Draw Students into HVAC Careers

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Hudson Valley Community College has been selected to help train a pipeline of skilled workers for clean energy jobs that are ramping up in the Capital Region.

 

Through grant funding provided by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the college’s Office of Workforce Development is able to offer an unprecedented opportunity for eligible students. A subset of eligible students will receive tuition reimbursement and additional support services in pursuing the college’s Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technical Services A.O.S. degree or Construction certificate.

 

Hundreds of skilled workers for the building trades, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration and high efficiency heat pumps will be needed over the next several years in the Capital Region.

 

Hudson Valley Community College’s Green Jobs Training Program is part of a New York State-funded study to measure if offering adult learners skills training in clean energy, along with extra support, helps them to complete training, find employment and earn higher salaries. Opportunity to receive enhanced support services, including tuition assistance, is limited. Eligible applicants will be chosen by a computerized selection process.

 

Minimum qualifications for the program:

 

  • must be a resident of New York State for the previous 12 months
  • at least 16 years or older and not officially enrolled in high school
  • meet additional educational and economic guidelines

 

Enhanced support services available for a subset of eligible students include:

 

  • Tuition assistance
  • Counseling
  • One-on-one tutoring
  • Resume writing assistance, interview prep and skills workshops
  • Job fairs

 

For more information about this opportunity, contact Jennifer Devine, at j.devine@hvcc.edu or (518) 629-7638.

Snowman’s Murphy Named to County Economic Post

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Submitted by the Office of the County Executive

 

The Snowman’s John Murphy to Serve as Deputy Director of Economic Development and Planning for Rensselaer County

Rensselaer County will be welcoming one of the best known businessmen in the region to support and guide efforts to attract new investment and job creation to the county, County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced today.

John Murphy, the former owner of The Snowman in Lansingburgh, will be joining the county to serve as Deputy Director of Economic Development, McLaughlin announced today.

“John Murphy grew The Snowman into a business that attracted attention and support from throughout the region and beyond. The Snowman is now an iconic place for ice cream and other treats, and that is thanks to John’s hard work, persistence and vision as a small business owner,” said McLaughlin.

“We look forward to continuing our success in growing businesses big and small in Rensselaer County, and we expect John will be an important part in those efforts,” added McLaughlin.

The county has seen success with major projects including the development of an Amazon center in Schodack and continued expansion at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in East Greenbush, along with major retail development in North Greenbush and Brunswick.

The county led the state in sales tax growth in 2019 and is continuing to see strong sales tax numbers. Under McLaughlin’s leadership, the county has reduced county property taxes by nearly 20 percent over the past four years and expanded important services, including the paving of 170 miles of county roads.

Murphy operated The Snowman starting in 1999. He decided to sell the successful business on Fifth Avenue in February to Old Daley Custom Catering, a local investor group.

“There were many opportunities that were presented to me when the sale of The Snowman was completed, and I appreciate all the interest. This position with Rensselaer County is an opportunity to give back to a community that means a great deal to my community, and use my experience to help business owners in the county grow and prosper,” said Murphy.

“I particularly look forward to working with new business owners and those looking to take their business to the new level. My experience and insight will help other businesses navigate the challenges they face,” added Murphy.

Murphy and his family reside in Brunswick and he is a lifelong resident of the Capital Region.

Brunswick Public Hearing Set for Aldi Site Coffee Shop

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by Doug La Rocque
In early spring developer David Leon’s representatives (MJ Engineering) returned to the Brunswick Planning Board with some changes to what has been labeled as the Aldi site, that included parking lot revisions, a change in size to the Wendy’s restaurant and installation of electric vehicle charging stations. They also unveiled a plan to [Read more…] about Brunswick Public Hearing Set for Aldi Site Coffee Shop

Berlin Central School – Propane Conversion Project

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by Chris Tergliafera
At the Wednesday, May 18 regular meeting of the Berlin Central School District Board of Education (BOE), what was intended to be a presentation to establish a budget, funding source and schedule for the propane conversion project at the middle/high school, turned into a conversation about fast tracking the project to complete it as soon as possible. 

Among the concerns with the current system are the ever rising heating oil prices, which currently stand at roughly [Read more…] about Berlin Central School – Propane Conversion Project

Edward W. Schindler – Obituary

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Berlin – Honorable Edward Walter Schindler, retired Berlin Town Justice, died peacefully Sunday, May 22, 2022 at his home in Berlin, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Queens, NY on July 31, 1928, the son of the late Howard Frederick Schindler and Vira B. Hendrickson Schindler. He graduated from Baldwin High School on Long Island, NY and served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. He met his wife June McDermott in January of 1953 and they were married on June 13, 1954.  They lived in Seaford, Long Island from 1954 to 1965 when they moved upstate to Berlin, NY. [Read more…] about Edward W. Schindler – Obituary

Marion K. Manchester – Obituary

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Petersburgh – Marion Katherine Manchester, 98, died peacefully, slipping from the bonds of earth to be with her savior Jesus in Heaven, on Friday, May 13, 2022 at the Center for Living & Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls.

She was born in Rensselaer, NY on August 11, 1923, the daughter of the late Henry and Catherine Monsees Trinemeyer. Her mother passed away in 1928 and due to the depression Marion and her 3 siblings were placed in the Troy Orphan Asylum. She grew up there until the age of 15 when they were all placed together in a foster home in West Stephentown. Marion was a graduate of Berlin High School, class of 1941, then went on to graduate from Berkshire Business College. Prior to her marriage, she was employed by Montgomery Ward & Co. in Menands, and a munitions factory for the war. [Read more…] about Marion K. Manchester – Obituary