May 31, 2013

What shopping at Walmart really costs

One Walmart's Low Wages Could Cost Taxpayers $900,000 Per Year, House Dems Find

Posted:   |  Updated: 05/31/2013 3:59 pm EDT
Walmart wages are so low that many of its workers rely on food stamps and other government aid programs to fulfill their basic needs, a reality that could cost taxpayers as much as $900,000 at just one Walmart Supercenter in Wisconsin, according to a study released by Congressional Democrats on Thursday.
"When low wages leave Walmart workers unable to afford the necessities of life, taxpayers pick up the tab," the report says.

Roundup: Maple Hill wins Section II, Group 4 track and field meet

STILLWATER — The Maple Hill varsity boys and girls track and field teams captured first place overall in the Section II, Group 4 championships, which began on Saturday and were completed this week at Stillwater High School.
The Maple Hill boys finished with 127 points to take the championship. Other local teams competing included Rensselaer/Doane Stuart, which placed sixth with 56 points; and Greenville placed 12th with 14 points. In the girls competition, the Lady Wildcats scored 127 points for first place, and Rensselaer/Doane Stuart finished ninth with 15 points.

May 30, 2013

Helena E Peters Named to Dean's List at Keene State College

KEENE, NH (01/07/2011)(readMedia)-- Keene State College has released the Dean's List for the fall semester 2010.

Among the 1,505 students named to the Dean's List is Helena E Peters of Castleton, New York.

May 29, 2013

May 27, 2013

Rensselaer County Legislature

Army Major Brian Vandewal of Schodack Landing has served multiple tours of duty overseas. On Monday, he served as Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day Parade in the Village of Castleton.

Rensselaer County reports $3.3M surplus

Funds will go toward pension expenses, county reserves By Kenneth C. Crowe II Published 10:32 pm, Wednesday, May 22, 2013 

Troy - Rensselaer County closed out its 2012 budget with a $3.3 million surplus after paying $1.1 million in unbudgeted legal costs, County Executive Kathleen Jimino said Wednesday.

The county paid about $500,000 for legal expenses for the Troy ballot fraud case and about $600,000 to settle the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District lawsuit.

Jimino said the $3.3 million remaining from 2012 county operations would be applied to county reserves and to pay pension costs.

The county budget reserves will grow to $10.5 million with the application of $300,000. The remaining $3 million will be applied to the county's pension expenses. Jimino said the county's positive financial situation is due to her "administration's actions in making the tough decisions to maintain a stable and affordable tax rate."

County Legislature Chairman Martin Reid, R-Sand Lake, said the audit's findings showed the positive impact of county fiscal efforts.

"The audit is good news, and shows taxpayers the county is doing a very good job managing finances despite increases in mandates and a weak economy," Reid stated.

Jimino and the County Legislature are up for election this fall.

Read more ... 


Dead body found at Empire State Plaza

ALBANY, NY - New York State Police in Albany are investigating the death of a man found at the Empire State Plaza. Investigators tentatively identified the man as a homeless person.

According to State Police, troopers received a report that a body had been found outside agency 4 on the plaza. The cause of death is pending an autopsy which will be performed at a later date.

Authorities said the dead person had frequented the area of the plaza. They will not release the man's name until his family has been notified.

Cops: East Greenbush teen stole $50,000 worth of property

Thomas E. Slivienski
Thomas E. Slivienski

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. -- East Greenbush Police arrested a Cohoes teen Tuesday for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 worth of watches, jewelry and electronics from a local residence.

The property was reported stolen Monday night after the resident of a Muriel Avenue home discovered the theft.

Read more...

May 21, 2013

2013-14 School Budget Passed; BOE Members Elected; Thank You to Voters



The 2013-14 school budget was passed by a vote of 470 to 308 on May 21. The proposition to purchase a liquid propane bus was passed by a vote of 438 to 315. Bruce Romanchak (504 votes), Jeanne Strazza (471 votes) and Dan Grandinetti (51 write-in votes) were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education. Thank you to everyone in our community who came out to vote. Posted 5/21/13.

Budget VOTE day


Community Budget Vote TODAY!Budget Newsletter Available

May 20, 2013

Strawberry Festival

Tuesday, May 21 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The annual Strawberry Festival will be held Tuesday, May 21 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Maple Hill High School. Come enjoy music, games, a bounce house, 50/50 raffles and food. Proceeds help 4th grade students raise money for their 5th grade class trip to Mystic, CT.

Ray Manzarek, 'Doors' Founding Member Dead at 74

0520-ray-manzarek-getty
Ray Manzarek -- who co-founded "The Doors" with Jim Morrison in 1965 and played keyboard -- has died, this according to the band's official Facebook page.

Manzarek was 74.

May 19, 2013

Free Summer RPI Program Offers Opportunities for Female Students


Female students attending Maple Hill High School next year who are interested in exploring science and engineering are encouraged to register for the Engineering Institute for Young Women Summer program hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This free, week-long program running from July 22-27 will provide opportunities for students to learn about engineering disciplines through presentations by female scientists and hands-on projects. Register early as spaces are limited by calling Lisa Smith-Auer at 732-2297. Click here for a flyer with more information… This opportunity was made possible through Superintendent Bob Horan’s partnerships with RPI and the Northeast Advanced Technological Education Center. Posted 5/16/13.

 

Budget Vote Tuesday


Community Budget Vote on Tuesday, May 21; Budget Newsletter Available

On Tuesday, May 21, the Schodack CSD community will vote on a $20,773,047 proposed 2013-14 budget that largely preserves student programs with no increase in class sizes. The budget increases spending by 2.6% and requires an estimated 4.49% increase in the tax levy, which is within New York State's property tax cap. For more information, click here to download a .pdf of the budget newsletter, which was mailed to district residents on May 10. Posted 5/14/13.

May 17, 2013

News in a Nutshell

Headlines that caught my eye
  • Landmark tower slowly giving in 
  • Cuomo to Lopez: Quit or be expelled 
  • Authorities: cigarette smuggling ring linked to Capital Region
  • Verizon Wireless Secretly Passed AP Reporters' Phone Records to Feds
  • 7 still missing from deadly Texas tornadoes
Read more...

  

May 15, 2013

Steve McLaughlin Visits CES


This morning, I was a guest reader in Mrs. Donnelly's kindergarten class at Castleton Elementary School.

May 14, 2013

Budget Newsletter Available on Website



The Schodack Central School District’s budget newsletter was mailed on Friday, May 10 to all district residents. If you did not receive a newsletter or would like to view it online, it is available as a .pdf on the district website, www.schodack.k12.ny.us

May 13, 2013

Dr. Joyce Brothers

Famous TV Psychologist
Dead at 85
Breaking News
 
0513_joyce_brothers_getty_article2Dr. Joyce Brothers -- once considered the most famous psychologist on the planet -- has died in NYC at the age of 85.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/13/dr-joyce-brothers-dies-dead/#ixzz2TECYW3M4
Visit the TMZ Store: http://tmzstore.com

Builders bulldoze big Mayan pyramid in Belize


By PATRICK E. JONES and MARK STEVENSON
Associated Press
BELIZE CITY (AP) - A construction company has essentially destroyed one of Belize's largest Mayan pyramids with backhoes and bulldozers to extract crushed rock for a road-building project, authorities announced on Monday.
The head of the Belize Institute of Archaeology, Jaime Awe, said the destruction at the Nohmul complex in northern Belize was detected late last week. The ceremonial center dates back at least 2,300 years and is the most important site in northern Belize, near the border with Mexico.
"It's a feeling of Incredible disbelief because of the ignorance and the insensitivity ... they were using this for road fill," Awe said. "It's like being punched in the stomach, it's just so horrendous."
Read more... 

May 10, 2013

World Trade Center


One World Trade Center Reaches 1,776 Feet, Now Tallest Building In U.S. (PHOTOS)

NEW YORK -- The silver spire topping One World Trade Center has been fully installed on the building's roof, bringing the iconic structure to its full, symbolic height of 1,776 feet.
The spire's installation was completed Friday morning, after pieces of it had been transported to the roof of the building last week. construction workers below applauded the milestone.

May 6, 2013

MHHS Class of 2015 Fundraiser

Class of 2015 Fundraiser – 

Tuesday, May 7 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Class of 2015 will hold a fundraiser at 16 Handles in East Greenbush on Tuesday, May 7 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Come enjoy frozen yogurt with a percentage of the profits benefiting the Class of 2015.

Career Expo 2013 @ Birch Hill

Career Expo 2013 

Tuesday, May 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

In an effort to help students in grades 7-12 explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Questar III BOCES will co-host a Career Expo on Tuesday, May 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Birch Hill in Schodack. This free, interactive event will feature representatives from dozens of careers in STEM that students and parents can speak with to learn about their fields. There also will be panel discussions on high demand careers. This event is paid for by a grant and is at no cost to school districts.

May 4, 2013

Scholarship Deadline May 8


Music Parents Association Offers Scholarships - Deadline: May 8


The Maple Hill Music Parents Association is offering scholarships again this year for students currently in grades 6-11 who pursue music lessons, camps or programs this summer. The total scholarship money available is $1,000, split evenly for Middle School and High School students. The maximum award to any one student is $250. To apply, click here for an application… Application deadline is Wednesday, May 8. For questions please emailmhmusicpa@yahoo.com or call Pam Smith at 732-4002. Posted 4/18/13.

Wilcats Baseball Manager makes the news


Freshman making big impact on Wildcats team


Get your Wildcats gear here

Check out the community calendar

May 5 is the First Sunday of the month.
You know what that means...
 
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST, The Castleton Fire House, located at 11 Green Avenue in Castleton will be hosting an All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast on the first Sunday of every month from 8AM till Noon (except for October). 


Cost is $7/Adults, $6/Seniors and $5/Children ages 5 to 11. Phone 732-4342.

What to Do


May 2, 2013

Register 4 STRIDE 5K...June 22, Albany


STRIDE athletes - BE the Athlete we know you are! Run or walk and get sponsors to support you and STRIDE!
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