News in a Nutshell

Headlines that caught my eye

• Shooting reported in Castleton
• Area malls officially tobacco-free 
• Cuomo to dispose of non-functional trains
• NYC proposes ban on sale of oversize sodas
• John Edwards Not Guilty

Breaking News

Shooting in Castleton

CASTLETON -- According to Rensselaer County dispatch, there has been a shooting on Boltwood Avenue in Castleton.
It is unknown how many people were involved or if anyone was injured.
CBS6 has a crew at the scene and will update this story when more information becomes available.

GRAND OPENING

Lions Den Studios

Grand Opening Special: Artists that schedule sessions before June 7th only have to pay $15 per hour instead of the original $25

1489 Maple Hill Road, Castleton-on-Hudson, NY 12033 (518) 414-8015

Congratulations Grace Hudgins

Arbor Day Poster contest winner...

Fifth grader Grace Hudgins

Read more... 

Open for Business ~

Grant's Auto

63 South Main Street, Castleton  518-732-7690

Open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday & Friday 8 - 5.  Open late on Thursday 8 - 7. 

Stop in and say hello to Grant and Carolyn Wescott.

Transformer fire in EG

Transformer blowout in East Greenbush.MOV 

National Grid Power Outage Map

Nearly 20,000 without power after storm

More heat and humidity expected Wednesday
By Bryan Fitzgerald
Updated 07:06 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Heavy rains and wind knocked out power to 20,000 National Grid customers, with Rensselaer and Saratoga counties appearing to take the brunt of a nasty Tuesday afternoon storm that came with tornado threats and reports of large-scale flooding.

EG BOE Appoints Daniel Garab as Goff AP

Long-time Red Mill teacher Daniel Garab was appointed assistant principal for Goff Middle School at the May 23rd Board of Education meeting after an exhaustive search through an exceptional field of candidates. Garab, a life-long resident of the East Greenbush Central School District, looks forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the district.

“Middle school is an exciting time and a challenging time for kids,” Garab said. “I look forward to helping them make the transition from elementary to middle school.”

Read more...

Bathroom threat not credible-no risk to student

MHHS Calls Shelter-in-Place; No Safety Risk to Students

The district would like to inform parents that Maple Hill High School called a shelter-in-place this afternoon after a potentially threatening message was found on a bathroom wall. As part of standard precautions, students and district employees locked themselves in their rooms as a search of the building was conducted. The message was found not to be credible and there was no risk to students. Students were dismissed at their regular time. The district would like to thank the Schodack Police Department for their assistance.

Superintendent Robert Horan asks parents to please consider talking with their students about the seriousness of writing such messages as school districts often see an increase in them towards the end of the school year. Because the safety of our students is the district’s foremost priority, the district takes any such incidents seriously and will pursue criminal charges against any individual found to make false threatening statements.

Memorial Day

Castleton's 2012 Memorial Day 

“Honoring Those Who Served” 

 

MONDAY MAY 28, 2012  10:00 am

Read more »

 

The Castleton-Schodack Kiwanis Club will be holding a pancake breakfast before the Memorial Day Parade in Castleton on Monday, May 28, to raise monies for its community service programs.  The pancake breakfast will be served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Castleton Volunteer Ambulance Building in Castleton.  The breakfast will be free for Veterans, $6.00 for other adults, and $4.00 for children.  For more information, call 732-2225.

EPA is hosting a Public Information Meeting for the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public information meeting to update residents and other interested parties about activities at the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site in the Village of Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York.  

Worker electrocuted in East Greenbush construction accident

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. - A construction worker has died from electrocution while working at Couse Corners on Route 4 in East Greenbush Friday morning.

Study: Merger means ICC tax hike

    
Written by EMILIA TEASDALE  
Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:53

Districts many steps away from decision to combine

KINDERHOOK--The Ichabod Crane School Board met this week to review the data collected by the merger study team looking into the feasibility of a merger with Schodack Central Schools. What the team found was a 33% difference in the current property tax rate between the two districts, which would mean lower taxes for Schodack residents and higher taxes for ICC residents if the districts merge.

The study team, made up of three former superintendents who conduct merger studies for districts in the state, worked with community members from both districts to create a “road map” for a merged district with a budget of $57 million.

Open For Business

Castleton 

GRANT'S AUTO

Open For Business
Grant's Auto 63 South Main Street, Castleton

518-732-7690
Open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday & Friday 8 - 5 
Open late on Thursday 8 - 7.
Stop in and say hello to Grant and Carolyn Wescott.

East Greenbush - 2012 Memorial Day Parade

The 2012 Memorial Day Parade will be held on Saturday, May 26th. The parade will begin in the parking lot of the Spare Time Bowling Alley, 570 Columbia Turnpike, at 10:00 a.m. The parade route is as follows: -East on Columbia Turnpike -Right on to Hays Road -Services to be held at the East Greenbush Cemetery -Continue on Hays Road to the East Greenbush VFW 7338

Couse Corners Roundabout Open

Couse Corners Roundabout

The Couse Corners roundabout opened to traffic and pedestrians during the night of Thursday, May 24th. There will still be work to complete on the west, Luther Road, side of the roundabout. Red Mill Road will open concurrent with the roundabout. Please use caution entering and exiting the roundabout.

Castleton's 2012 Memorial Day Parade Program

“Honoring Those Who Served” 

MONDAY MAY 28, 2012  10:00 am

Drinking biologist a state worker no more

The comptroller said in November that Keim stole $35,823 in salary and benefits from the state by drinking while he was supposed to be performing duties as a state biologist. He had worked at DEC since 2007 and was paid $56,550 a year.

"Sadly, this individual took advantage of his position and bilked state taxpayers out of thousands of dollars," DiNapoli said.

Read more:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Contact: Mike Morey (Schumer) 202-380-5990

Angie Hu (Gillibrand) 212-688-9780

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE SENATE PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN IRAN SANCTIONS BILL WHICH TOUGHENS PENALTIES AGAINST IRAN, ENFORCE SANCTIONS AGAINST SYRIA

Senators' Proposals Included in Iran Bill Would Broaden Penalties Against Iran's Human Rights Abusers, Require Companies to Disclose Iran-Related Business to SEC, and Target Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps

Gillibrand-Schumer-Brown Measure Imposes Sanctions in Effort to End Campaign of Killings, Torture, and Other Human Rights Abuses by the Syrian Government of Bashar al-Assad

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive bipartisan Iran sanctions bill which includes measures authored by Senators Gillibrand and Mark Kirk (R-IL) to strengthen economic sanctions against Iran, as well as a proposal introduced by Senators Gillibrand, Schumer (D-NY), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) that would enforce sanctions against the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad. The Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Human Rights Act of 2012 will now be reconciled with the House version of the bill.

"By imposing crippling sanctions on Iran, this bill is a tough and smart plan to address the real threat Iran poses to the U.S. and our allies, particularly Israel," said Senator Schumer. "This legislation also takes an important step toward imposing sanctions on the brutal Syrian regime. If the Syrian government will not stop their campaign of terror, then we will do everything we can to send the strongest message possible to that nation's leadership that this behavior is beyond the pale and not without consequence."

Student Artwork Selected for Exhibit

MHHS students Stuart Allen and Philip Prinzo had their artwork accepted into this year’s Annual High School Art Invitational Exhibit, with Stuart earning a third place award for his self-portrait. The invitational involves more than a dozen area school districts and is presented by Questar III and WMHT. A reception was held April 18 at WMHT’s headquarters. Artwork by students Jennie Buckley and Franco Fettucia was also put on display at Questar III’s main offices in Schodack as part of the event. Congratulations! Click here for a photo slideshow… Posted 5/07/12.

Possible school merger being debated

Posted at: 05/21/2012 4:42 PM | Updated at: 05/21/2012 6:28 PM 

Saddled with budget cuts, the Schodack Central and Ichabod Crane Central School districts are considering joining forces.

A community forum is being held Monday night, at Maple Hill High School and Tuesday night at Ichabod Crane High School.

Both meetings are at 7p. 

The earliest the districts could merge would be July 1, 2013.

By: Andrew Murphy

Memorial Day Breakfast

Castleton - Schodack Kiwanis Club

The Castleton-Schodack Kiwanis Club will be holding a pancake breakfast before the Memorial Day Parade in Castleton on Monday, May 28, to raise monies for its community service programs. The pancake breakfast will be served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Castleton Volunteer Ambulance Building in Castleton. The breakfast will be free for Veterans, $6.00 for other adults, and $4.00 for children. For more information, call 732-2225.

SCHODACK ISLAND STATE PARK

Your key to all season enjoyment of state parks is the season's pass.  

For $65, the Empire Passport provides you unlimited day use vehicle entry into most of the parks. Apply on-line or call your favorite park for more information.

• Vehicle Entrance Fee: Cars $6 on weekends and holi-days: 5/1 - 10/11

• Rentals: Pavilion $100: Water Electric 100+ people; Riverview Pavilion $25 15+ people; Tent (30x30) $75 Electric 50+ people; Tent (20x30) $50 35+ people

• Trash removal option: $6 per bag-Checks made out to "Schodack Island NHT"

• Dry Slip Boat Permit:$150 for the season from - May 1st to Columbus Day; or $ 50 per month if available.

RIP - Robin Gibb

Robin Gibb Dead: Bee Gees Singer Dies At 62

Posted: 05/20/2012 7:05 pm Updated: 05/20/2012 9:34 pm

Robin Gibb, Bee Gees singer and co-founder, died Sunday at the age of 62, according to Rolling Stone. The musician had been battling cancer.
"The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery," says a statement released by the family's spokesperson. "The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

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Opens this week

The Reel Scene 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

A review by Joe Cotugno

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” located in the “over populated, assault-on-your-senses” India hosts a group of retirees from Britain all charmed by the hotel’s less than truthful picturesque images on its website.

Read more...

What's for dinner?

• SCHODACK VALLEY PIZZA NIGHT

Come join us for Pizza Night on May 19th at the Schodack Valley Fire House from 5 to 9PM. Bring the family for Pizza, Antipasto, Wings and more. Additional seating is available. Our featured Pizza’s this month will be: Shrimp & Garlic and Buffalo Chicken.

As always, you can eat-in or take-out. For take-out, call us at 477-4215.

• HAM DINNER

The Emmanuel Reformed Church in Castleton is holding its Annual Ham Dinner on Saturday, May 19th, at 5:30 p.m. The menu includes baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, apple sauce, corn muffins, apple cake and beverage. The price for adults is $10.00, children 6 - 12 is $5.00, under 6 - free. The church is located at 1150 Maple Hill Road in Castleton, adjacent to the Maple Hill High School. We have plenty of parking and are handicapped accessible. To make reservations, or for takeout orders, please call the church office at 732-7766. Call soon as we sell out quickly. We look forward to serving you.

Cuomo eliminates finger imaging for food stamps

She worked hard for the money

Donna Summer -- the Queen of Disco -- died this morning after a battle with cancer ... TMZ has learned.

Speeds and Pedestrian Injuries

Rt. 4 & Mannix Road Intersection Improvement 

What's that smell?

East Greenbush and State DEC have allowed human sewage to pollute Hudson River for 13 years.

NewsChannel 13 In-Depth investigation finds that state and town officials have continued to allow sewage treatment overflows despite six written agreements to stop the practice over the past 12 years. Now officials are working on a seventh agreement.

Castleton Library

Read more for upcoming events and programs.

Local Budgets Approved

From the School's websites...  

2012-13 School Budget Approved; Thank You to Voters

The 2012-13 school budget was approved tonight by a vote of 655 to 331. A proposition to purchase a fuel-efficient minivan was approved by a vote of 538 to 403. Michael Charsky, Michael Hiser and George Warner were elected to three-year seats on the Board of Education. The district would like to thank everyone who came out to vote. 

Posted 5/15/12.

From Schodack eNews – Districtwide News

Community Budget Vote – Tuesday, May 15, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Reel Scene~Reviews by Joe Cotugno

Production year: 2012
Director: Larry Charles
Cast: Anna Faris, John C. Reilly, Megan Fox, Sacha Baron Cohen, Sir Ben Kingsley
Running time: 1hr 23 mins
Rating: R

Sacha Baron Cohen’s ( Borat, Bruno) latest satirical comedy follows North African Supreme Leader General Aladeen (Cohen), a the ruthlessly self-absorbed, democracy-hating dictator determined to continue his rein over his oppressed oil-rich country of Wadiya.

Happy Mother's Day!

SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE MAY 15!

Budget Power Point Presentation
Proposed Budget pdf.  59 pages

The 64th Annual Albany Tulip Festival

The 64th Annual Albany Tulip Festival
May 12 & 13, 2012
Washington Park, Albany, New York

Friday: Street Scrubbing and Luncheon • Noon
Saturday: Royal Tulip Ball • 6:30pm
Saturday and Sunday: Vendors, food, music and more • 11:00am - 6:00pm, Washington Park

Bank Of America Shareholders Meeting Swarmed By Protesters

Americans angry at Bank of America tried to communicate their frustration to the bank on Wednesday, quite literally.

Protesters gathered outside of BofA's headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina Thursday to demonstrate against the bank's foreclosure practices, as well as its relationship with the government and the coal industry.

More Errors Found In Questions On Standardized Tests

New York State High-Stakes Exams: More Errors Found In Questions On Standardized Tests

Posted: 05/09/2012 1:46 pm Updated: 05/09/2012 1:46 pm

 

The errors on New York's state exams just keep mounting.

As a result, districts were forced to re-score exams and costing extra in public funds to pay teachers overtime to do so. 

The Semantics of Mean

By Gregg Weinlein

Premium article access courtesy of Edweek.org.

The volume on the subject of bullying has grown even louder in recent weeks with the conviction of Dharun Ravi in a hate crime against his college roommate, Tyler Clementi, and the release of two documentaries on the subject: “Speak Up” and the forthcoming “Bully.” While parents, legislators, and even student advocates continue to articulate the seriousness of bullying and the toll this activity takes on children and teens, the use of electronic devices and the Internet to telegraph information, as evidenced, in fact, by Ravi’s conviction, now firmly frames cyberbullying in a criminal context. I believe this is a step in the right direction. 

“Too often, teens flip off the word ‘bully’ as childish, knowing that assailants today are much more vicious than the playground bullies of the previous century.”

Read more...

Obama Backs Gay Marriage

The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years. With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified.

Still, the symbolism of Obama's remarks is hard to ignore. In becoming the first president to publicly support marriage equality, he sets the bar for its political acceptance. He also has the ability to shape public opinion further on the matter.

Maple Hill Lacrosse

  Maple Hill Lacrosse Fund Raiser

Thursday May 10, 2012 at 7:00-9:00pm Maple Hill Lacrosse Fundraiser with Rodger Wyland’s Barstool Banter at the Recovery Sport’s Grill in Troy.

Second Masseur Files Sexual Battery And Harassment Suit

John Travolta Lawsuit: Second Masseur Files Sexual Battery And Harassment Suit Against Actor

RadarOnline reports that the second alleged victim, who is identified in the documents only as "Doe Plaintiff No. 2," claims to have "substantial documentation and numerous witnesses regarding the substance of Travolta's actions." The site notes that the second accuser -- who is said to have worked at an unspecified Atlanta-based resort -- is also being represented by the same lawyer as the first. Both are seeking $2 million in punitive damages, and in the amended complaint, they are both now suing Travolta for sexual harassment as well.

For Immediate Release

From the East Greenbush Police Blotter 

City and Town police working with the DEA, have been conducting a joint investigation into the distribution of narcotics in southern Rensselaer County resulting in several arrests made late Monday and overnight:
Read more...

Heroine Arrest 
Frank R. Ingoldsby, 45 of Drumough Road Averill Park, and Jacob R. Quickenton, 20, of 1st Street Troy, have been charged with Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd Dgr. – Heroin. 

EG Blotter 4/11 - 5/8/2012

Cops: Two drug rings busted in East Greenbush

Two men, one from Troy, the other from Averill Park, were charged with selling heroin in southern portions of Rensselaer County. Three men and two women were charged with selling prescription drugs, mainly Oxycodone, in the same area. Police said the operations were not related, but were both based in town.

"Everything just unfolded at the same time," said East Greenbush Police Chief Christopher Lavin.

State jobs down 18.4%

Wave of retirements, hiring freeze present challenges, opportunities for change 

The President's Coming!

 

Workers sent home for Obama visit, but Nanotech says they'll be paid

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTY!

Happy 21st birthday! I love you! Love, Mommy

Community Calendar

Upcoming Events!

Check the Community Calendar often!
Do you have an event you'd like to share with the community?

• Love My Park Day 5/5/12
• President Obama visits Malta 5/8/12
• Genet Zumba Fundraiser 5/8/12
• Arthritis Walk 5/10/12
• Music and Arts Festival 5/10/12
• Flapjack Fundraiser 5/19/12
• Striper Derby 5/19 & 20/12
• Groupon Deal of the Day
• Lisa's Goal
• GOLD BOX!

 ~ The Schodack SCENE ~

An online publication - Schodack Castleton Everyday News & Events

Sign up to follow The Schodack Scene 

Why did Target boot the Kindle?

The e-reader was one of the retailer's big sellers. Is Apple clearing out the competitors before it comes to town?clearing out the competitors before it comes to town?

By Kim Peterson 22 hours ago

Nearby

News from our neighbors ~

East Greenbush News

• Dessert Night
• Arts Festival
• Talent Show

Check out the Community Calendar for upcoming events in and around town

Love my Park Day

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“Our parks are one of the hidden treasures of our state,” Governor Cuomo said today, inviting New Yorkers to participate in the first ever “I Love My Park Day.” “I Love My Park Day” is a statewide event to enhance the state’s parks and historic sites and bring visibility to the entire park system and its needs. Join thousands of your fellow New Yorkers this Saturday, May 5, and volunteer to help improve our state parks. Click here to sign up. Volunteers will celebrate New York's state park system by cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects. There are more than 35 participating state parks and historic sites. Click here to find a park or site. Bring your friends and family to your favorite park this Saturday and help preserve the beauty of this great state. Together, we are building a new New York. Thank you, The Office of the Governor

This is a message from the New York State Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224. If you'd prefer not to receive e-mail like this, please click here for our unsubscribe options. Our privacy policy is available here. Copyright 2012 New York State. All rights reserved.

Press Release From the Rensselaer County Legislature

   

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                             Contact: Richard Crist

May 2, 2012                                                                                                    270-2880 (cell 928-1920)

Legislators Welcome Progress on Compensation for Nassau Toxic Waste Damage

Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature welcomed progress on providing compensation to towns for damage suffered from years of toxic contamination in the Town of Nassau.

Chairman of the Legislature Martin Reid and Legislators Alex Shannon and Judith Breselor have been supporters of the measure and also had been strong advocates for a comprehensive clean-up of the toxic contamination at the Loeffel site.

Check the slideshow in the left sidebar

A Home fit for a Hero By Catherine Sager
NASSAU

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band played a concert on Saturday at the Washington Avenue Armory to raise money for a hometown hero. Sinise gathered with a motorcade from the Village of Nassau in March. Sheriffs Deputies and State Police Officers, in coordinated assistance and support provided by Village of Nassau Police and emergency responders from throughout the County. From the Village Commons they traveled to the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany. There, elected officials, dignitaries, local politicians, in suits and ties, stood side by side with about 300 bikers from Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard Riders, dressed in leather jackets, boots and bandanas to paid homage to one of our heroic veterans.

Wilkinson, a native of Lansingburgh, took part in the invasion of Iraq with Air Force Security Forces in 2003. Three years after he returned, his right leg started to give out.

After serving for a time guarding terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, he began experiencing mysterious and debilitating medical problems. He stopped walking last year and lost the feeling in his legs, as his muscles are weakening.

Wilkinson says he was exposed to hazardous chemicals while in the military. With the support of Congressman Chris Gibson's office the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs re-evaluated his injuries and rated his service-related disability at 100 percent.

Read more...