The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

More Overnight Parking Provided in Hoosick Falls

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by Doug La Rocque

At their February meeting, the Hoosick Falls Board of Trustees heard several comments about a lack of overnight parking in the Village, forcing more cars onto the street. At that time, the Trustees promised to look into the matter, and returned at their Tuesday, March 8 meeting with a proposal to change the rules for the Church Street parking lot. The Board approved a resolution that converts the 14 parking spaces in the middle of the lot from time restricted to 24 hour parking, hoping this will help ease the problem.

Police Review and Reports

In March last year the Trustees approved the State required police review plan. Part of that plan was the establishment of a Police Review and Reform Board for the Village. After a year of work putting together all the pieces, a local law was introduced to formally establish that Board. It will consist of five members, all serving one-year terms and appointed by the Trustees. The Village Clerk and the Deputy Mayor will serve as non-voting members. A public hearing will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday, April 12. [Read more…] about More Overnight Parking Provided in Hoosick Falls

Rensselaer County Seeing Historic Growth and Success

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Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin delivered his fifth State of the County Address to the Rensselaer County Legislature on Tuesday, March 8, saying the County is in strong shape and seeing unprecedented fiscal and economic development.

“The County is becoming recognized as a leader in the State for lowering property taxes and expanding important quality of life and health services,” McLaughlin said in the Address. The County is seeing new and unprecedented opportunity and accomplishment thanks to fiscally effective policies and service improvements,” continued McLaughlin, who was re-elected to a second term by a wide margin in 2021.

“The County is also emerging as a prime mover in [Read more…] about Rensselaer County Seeing Historic Growth and Success

Arrest Made in Bates Murder

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by Doug La Rocque

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office on Friday evening, March 4, announced the arrest of 22-year-old Ian J. Hasselwander of Petersburgh for the disappearance and death of 20- year-old Morgan Bates of Eagle Bridge. Bates was reported missing on Tuesday, February 22, with sightings reported early that morning in both Eagle Bridge and Petersburgh. Her body was subsequently located on Sunday, February 27 in a remote area of the Cherry Plain State Park near Black River Road.

Hasselwander now faces four felony counts, including Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Strangulation in the First Degree and Concealment of a Human Corpse. He was arraigned in Troy City Court before the Honorable Judge Maier and remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail without bail. [Read more…] about Arrest Made in Bates Murder

Woman’s Body Found in Cherry Plain State Park

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Death Considered Suspicious

by Doug La Rocque

Here is the statement on the discovery from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office: “The Office confirms the body of an unidentified female has been located in the area of Cherry Plain State Park, under suspicious circumstances, on Sunday, February 27. 

The victim’s identity will be released following an autopsy, which will be scheduled for later this week. There are no further details at this time. Updates on this investigation will be provided as information becomes available.”

Missing Woman

Coincidently, law enforcement has been looking for a missing woman, perhaps seen about a week ago in the Petersburgh area. At this time, there is no official connection between this search and the discovery of the body in Stephentown.

This is all the information that the Sheriff’s Office as been able to release as we near press time. Any further developments will be posted on our website and social media (Facebook, Instagram) accounts.  [Read more…] about Woman’s Body Found in Cherry Plain State Park

Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshall Announced

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Dennis Casey has been selected as the Grand Marshall for the 2022 Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Parade to be held Saturday, March 12, at 1 pm.

Dennis is a lifelong resident of Hoosick Falls, except for a few years after college. He returned because he missed his hometown and he understood and appreciated the value of living in a small town surrounded by farms, woods and hills. He attended 12 years at St. Mary’s Academy, graduating in 1960 with the last class from the old building.

Dennis, or Casey, as many know him, has contributed to his community in many ways. He worked [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshall Announced

Schodack Town Council Highlights 

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by Denise Wright

After the public hearing on Golf LLC’s Consolidated Water District 101 Extension No. 7, the February 24 Schodack Town Council meeting focused on a long list of topics ranging from parks to the police department. 

The Council approved Golf LLC’s proposed project of installing 850 feet of 12 inch water mains, two hydrants and 11 curb boxes that will be paid for by the developer and supply 11 residences and the clubhouse for the golf course.  [Read more…] about Schodack Town Council Highlights 

Grafton Residents and RPA Discuss Community Forest

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by Chris Tergliafera

On Monday, February 28, the Grafton Town Council hosted a public forum for residents and the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) to discuss plans for property the RPA recently purchased in Grafton. As it stands now, plans to have a trailhead and parking lot at the end of Foster Rd. are not sitting well with Foster Rd. residents. 

More than one person raised the question: if the RPA is creating a community forest, and want to have a good relationship with the community, but the community is making it clear they don’t want them there, isn’t it disingenuous for them to continue saying they care about the community?  [Read more…] about Grafton Residents and RPA Discuss Community Forest

An Unidentified Female Body has been Found

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The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office confirms the body of an unidentified female has been located in the area of Cherry Plain State Park, under suspicious circumstances, on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

The victim’s identity will be released following an autopsy, which will be scheduled for later this week.

There are no further details at this time. Updates on this investigation will be provided as information becomes available.

“It’s a Mortal Blow”

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by Doug La Rocque

That is how Brunswick Town Supervisor and co-owner of Herrington Farms in Brunswick describes the recent decision by the NY Farm Laborers Wage Board to reduce the overtime threshold for farm laborers from 60 to 40 hours per week. The decision has yet to gain the approval of NYS Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. Mr. Herrington was joined on Thursday, February 24 by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who noted she and six of her colleagues have sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to reject the Wage Board’s decision. [Read more…] about “It’s a Mortal Blow”