Magnitude 5.5 earthquake

Magnitude 5.5 earthquake shakes Nevada, California state line

By Tim FitzsimonsNov. 13, 2020, 7:45 AM EST / Updated Nov. 13, 2020, 7:55 AM EST

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake shook an area 20 miles southeast of Mina, Nevada. Residents reported shaking in central California and across Nevada.

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck western Nevada early Friday, shaking residents of an area stretching hundreds of square miles in two states, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Friday morning's magnitude 5.5 quake was followed by many aftershocks, according to the USGS's website.

Read more...

Advertise: 

Staff at 11 Albany County restaurants test positive for COVID-19

Staff at 11 Albany County restaurants test positive for COVID-19
Steve Barnes Nov. 11, 2020 Updated: Nov. 11, 2020 5:52 p.m.

ALBANY — As Albany County continues to see a surge in COVID-19 cases, nine city restaurants, including a cluster in the Lark Street corridor, are temporarily closed after staff members tested positive for the virus, according to owners and announcements on social media.

The news came the same day as Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that he was ordering bars, restaurants and gyms across the state to close at 10 p.m. daily starting Friday, saying the state's increase in COVID-19 cases was largely attributed to such locations and to private parties. Previously allowed to have up to 50 people, such gatherings are now limited to 10, Cuomo said.

Read more...

Stabbing at McDonald's

Man charged with stabbing in East Greenbush McDonald's
by WRGB Staff

EAST GREENBUSH (WRGB) A Rensselaer man is facing charges, after reportedly stabbing a victim at McDonald's in East Greenbush.
At about 12:20 p.m., East Greenbush received multiple calls about a fight at the McDonald's at 310 Troy Road.
Read more...

Advertise:

Alex Trebek was awesome

LOS ANGELES -- In a politically torn, culturally divided and socially splintered America, there was one thing nearly everyone could agree on: Alex Trebek was awesome.

For 36 years, the “Jeopardy!" host was a figure of consensus in an era that increasingly lacked it, and died at the end of an election week when those divisions were in full force.
At at time when emotions, opinions and personal details feel like they're at the center of every broadcast, post and podcast, the exceedingly Canadian Trebek held them all in check, instead valuing formality and factuality, dignity and decorum.

Trebek gave the role a gravitas, and a virtuosity, that didn't seem possible before him.

“Alex was the Sinatra of our business,” Wink Martindale, a longtime host of several games shows, said in a statement. “The word class defined him. In my view, there will never be another with such multiple talents.”

Read more...

Advertise: 

Toy Drive

Advertise: 

Sean Connery - The Coolest Bond Ever!

Beyond James Bond, Sean Connery was the ultimate movie star

Analysis by Brian Lowry, CNN

(CNN)Sean Connery was a movie star, like few before him and practically no one since. Made famous by the role of Bond, James Bond, the Oscar-winning actor established himself as much more than just 007, although his standard-setting work in that role is surely the most indelible aspect of his screen legacy.

Read more...

Connery -- who died at the age of 90 -- was surely helped by his striking good looks, which included being anointed in the Mr. Scotland bodybuilding competition before landing the role of Bond, playing the suave British spy in seven movies, beginning with "Dr. No" in 1962.

Sir Thomas Sean Connery was a Scottish actor and producer. He is best known as the first actor to portray the character James Bond in film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. Connery was in smaller theatre and television productions until he got his break with the Bond films. Wikipedia

Advertise:

Albany County sees most COVID-19 hospitalizations since June 1

Eight Albany County COIVD-19 patients hospitalized overnight as surge continues
Steve Hughes

ALBANY – The county health department is dealing with a coronavirus outbreak among its staff, as hospitalizations in Albany County hit their highest level since June 1.

The news comes as the University at Albany and other local colleges also prepare to deal with any large Halloween parties in hopes of preventing a late semester outbreak before students head home for Thanksgiving.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy speaks at a briefing on the increase in COVID-19 positive cases on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union

Four health department employees have tested positive, pushing the county to cancel clinics and sending the remainder of its staff home to work remotely for the next two weeks, County Executive Dan McCoy and County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen said Thursday.

        “This is an example of our employees doing the right thing- wearing a mask, social                 distancing, frequently sanitizing their hands and still contracting the virus," McCoy said.

The county did not say what role the staffers played within the department, or if it has been able to trace the transmission source.

The news came as eight more Albany County residents were hospitalized overnight after contracting COVID-19.

Read more...

Advertise: 

More COVID

Three more COVID-19 cases tied to North Colonie elementary school

Rachel Silberstein

COLONIE — The North Colonie Central School District has confirmed three new COVID-19 cases tied to the Boght Hills Elementary School, bringing the total number of infected students, teachers and staff associated with the school building to nine.

The individuals who tested positive have been placed in isolation and will not return to school until they are cleared by the health department, school officials wrote in a note to families.

Contact tracing is ongoing.

Advertise:

Albany Planning Board rejects proposed Stewarts

The company’s first application was rejected in August.

Steve Hughes Oct. 29, 2020

ALBANY – The city Planning Board rejected a Stewart’s Shops application for a Washington Avenue store, 5-0, for the second time in three months earlier this week.

        “I believe you have a great product; this is just not the right location for that, said board                 Chairman Al De Salvo after the vote.

Neighbors had spoken out against the proposed store at the corner of Colvin and Washington avenues, arguing that it would increase vehicle traffic and didn't fit in with the character of the neighborhood. The proposal would also require demolition of two homes in the area.

Read more...

Advertise: 

Car Show at WHO

Stephanie J Bartik

 was live — attending 

Fall Harvest Car Show

 with 

Vito Ciccarelli

 at 

Windy Hill Orchard- East

.

Advertise your local event here:

State Police remind the public not to fall victim to common scams

State Police remind the public not to fall victim to common scams

State Police in Troop G would like to remind the public to be aware as we continue to receive reports of scams involving gift cards used as payments along with other common online scams.

If you believe you may be the victim of a scam, please contact the New York State Police or local law enforcement immediately.  If you suspect you are a victim it is important to remember that these cases are time sensitive and the sooner you report, the better chance police have of trying to recover funds.
 

Read more...

Advertise:

Prime Days

Amazon’s Prime Day event will take place October 13-14. Get a head start on your shopping by previewing some of the best Prime Day deals you can expect to see this year.

USS Slater reopens for public tours again

The USS Slater will once again open to the public at the Port of Albany.

The Slater returned to the port after undergoing repairs over the summer in dry dock at Staten Island. NewsChannel 13 visited the Slater twice, and was aboard as it made its way up the Hudson River back to Albany.

Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children.

The Slater is the only remaining World War II Destroyer Escort still afloat in the U.S. This is the Slater’s 23rd season in Albany.

Copyright 2020 - WNYT-TV, LLC A Hubbard Broadcasting Company

Advertise: 

Take a hike… soon on Electric Trail

Take a hike… soon on Electric Trail
October 2, 2020 by EMILIA TEASDALE

Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail (CFET) held its first training session September 15 for a dozen volunteers who will mow and maintain the AHET when it opens. Pictured is CFET Board President Ron Rich (l) explaining details to the CFET Trail Crew at Samascott’s Orchards in Kinderhook. Photo contributed

VALATIE—According to the latest update from the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET), “There is no public access to the AHET Trail at this time.”

But that could change very soon. There is a lot of activity on the 36-mile walking and biking trail that runs through Columbia and Rensselaer counties, mostly along the old trolley rail bed now owned by National Grid
Read more..

Advertise: : Last Month 3186 people visited this blog 

Rensselaer County is issuing a coronavirus advisory

Rensselaer UPS Store employee tests postive for coronavirus
WNYT Staff Updated: October 03, 2020 06:40 PM Created: October 03, 2020 05:57 PM

Rensselaer County is issuing a coronavirus advisory.

Photo: AP Images .
An employee that works at the UPS Store on Troy Road has tested positive.Anyone who visited the store on Sept. 28 or 29 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. is asked to monitor for symptoms.

Advertise: Last Month 3186 people visited this blog 

Drive Through History

The changing of seasons brings new reasons to get outside and soak up the scenic beauty of Columbia County. It also brings two new Drive Through History road trips for you to explore! If you haven't taken one yet, these self-guided drives offer a fun and FREE way to experience the area's history and culture at your own pace. Here's a look at our newest road trips:

Good Apples The 2020 apple harvest is well underway! Agriculture has long been the lifeblood of Columbia County, and many of our apple orchards have been operating for more than a century. Pick up a few stories along with your Jonathans, Empires and Macouns on this tour of seven historic orchards around the County.

Schoolhouse Stories From the late 18th through the early 20th century, one-room schoolhouses were the heart of education in Columbia County. Though modest in size and comforts, these district schools provided a tight-knit, family-like environment where students of all ages learned together, and from one another. This road trip visits nine former one-room schoolhouses, including our own c.1850 Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse.

Download Maps & Itineraries

Advertise:

Turkey Dinner@

The Reformed Dutch Church of Schodack at Muitzeskill will be holding a TAKE-OUT ONLY version of its ANNUAL TURKEY DINNER .

The dinner will be held on Saturday, October 24th, with three pick up times being offered, starting at 4 pm, 4:45pm and 5:30pm. The cost is $14 for adults and $7 for children, ages 6 - 12. The dinner will include turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes,  gravy, squash, green beans, cranberry sauce, a roll and a piece of pie, for dessert. Gluten-free is available upon request.

Reservations are required. Please call 518-732-7345, to reserve your dinner. If no answer, please leave a message.

Advertise: 

Autumn is here!

More group hikes are currently being planned- stay tuned! Please email mevans@stride.org to enroll in the group hikes Click Here for Pleasant Valley Information Click Here for Mt. Greylock Information Click Here for 5 Rivers Information Click Here for Independent Hike Suggestions/ Information  ‌  ‌  ‌

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dead at 87

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the liberal leader of the Supreme Court and a trailblazing champion of women’s rights, died Friday. 

She was 87 years old.

How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Became the ‘Notorious RBG’
Rolling Stone

By LAUREN KELLEY 
In their new book, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik capitalize on what is (perhaps) an unlikely recent obsession in our culture: an octogenarian Supreme Court justice.
Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik discuss their new book and Justice Ginsburg’s trailblazing career 

At the tail end of her career, the octogenarian Ginsburg became a pop culture sensation. She captivated millennials, who affectionately dubbed her the “Notorious R.B.G,” a nickname inspired loosely by the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.

Amazon opens in Schodack

Massive Amazon fulfillment center opens in Schodack
The company's first so-called fulfillment center in upstate will eventually employee 1,000, company says

SCHODACK — Amazon opened its new fulfillment center in this Rensselaer County town on Friday, marking the end of a years-long - and at times contentious - process to build the first such facility for the company in upstate New York.

The facility will eventually employ more than 1,000 full-time workers who will stack, pack and ship items to customers across the region, including bulk paper goods, sports equipment, pet food and supplies, electronics, and household goods.

Pay at the fulfillment center starts at $15 an hour and full-time employees will get health, vision and dental coverage along with a 50 percent match in 401K plans. Minimum wage in upstate New York currently stands at $11.80 with an increase to $12.50 scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 31.

The company will also pre-pay 95 percent of tuition for courses in high-demand fields such as game design, visual communications, nursing, radiology and IT programming.

This is the company’s first fulfillment center in upstate New York, and second in the state. Amazon launched its first fulfillment center in Staten Island in 2018.

Read more:

Advertise: http://thescene-thescene.blogspot.com/p/advertise.html

In case you missed Schodack CSD's Tweet

In case you missed Schodack CSD's Tweet

Things are going to be different when school starts in September. Check out this video with @MapleHill_HS Principal Jacqueline Hill to see how classrooms will look at the high school. https://pic.twitter.com/GcAj9otaQ4

Advertise:

Modern Love comes to Albany

Amazon's 'Modern Love' shooting scene in Albany's Washington Park
Production crew expected to spend several days shooting exterior shots around park and Center Square

"Modern Love" is expected to shoot at six or seven Albany locations through Friday, said Debby Goedeke, Albany's film commissioner. 

She declined to give specific locations, saying only that no major public buildings would be used, but a city advisory about parking restrictions and street closures suggested shooting would be mainly in Washington Park and on Dove Street in the adjacent Center Square neighborhood.

Read more...

Albany police announce road closures, parking restrictions
ALBANY Police will be prohibiting parking and closing roads in portions of Albany this week due to film production.

Albany police say Washington Park Road will be closed between Robin Street and Sprague Place from 6 a.m. until midnight Wednesday. Central Avenue will be closed between Robin Street and North Lake Avenue starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Read more...

Advertise: 

Help from above?

Albany man rescued from Lake George by priests on a floating tiki bar

Mark Mulholland

LAKE GEORGE - It was a choppy afternoon on the lake and Jimmy MacDonald from Albany was paddling in a kayak.
As Jimmy tells it, he drifted away from his wife and stepkids because he was taking pictures with his new smartphone "and not really paying attention."
As he tried to make his way back, the water got choppier and he paddled harder before he tipped over and lost his paddle.

MacDonald laiughed about it, "How funny is it that I've been sober for seven years and I get saved by a tiki bar?"

Read more...

Advertise:

Albany-Hudson Electric Trail

AHET Trail will be a shared-use bicycling and pedestrian trail along the 35 mile Albany-Hudson Electric Trolley corridor from Hudson, NY to Rensselaer, NY – running through Rensselaer and Columbia Counties. This website will be periodically updated with plans, reports, meeting dates, project status reports, and other information.

The AHET Trail is an important part of the Empire State Trail, providing a key link between the Capital Region and the Mid-Hudson Valley. The Empire State Trail, when completed in 2020, will create a 750-mile biking and walking trail from New York City to Canada and from Albany to Buffalo.

Historically, the Albany-Hudson Electric Trolley operated along the proposed trail corridor. The trolley was an interurban third rail system that operated along 35 miles from the City of Albany to the City of Hudson from 1899 to 1929. The trolley was powered by electricity supplied by the Stuyvesant Falls hydro-electric power plant. The 12,000 volt output of the dam was converted to 600 volts at three substations located in the City of Hudson, North Chatham, and East Greenbush.

The trolley line transported millions of passengers over its three decades of service. In the late 1920’s, railroads saw a decline in ridership due to the growing popularity of personal automobile travel. This, coupled with the beginning of the Great Depression, led to the closure of the trolley line in 1929.

Read more...
Advertise: http://thescene-thescene.blogspot.com/p/advertise.html

East Greenbush sees major apartment proposal for Columbia Turnpike

East Greenbush sees major apartment proposal for Columbia Turnpike
Kenneth C. Crowe II


EAST GREENBUSH – The town Planning Board next week will look at a planned development district for a proposed 300-unit apartment complex, the largest to be proposed in the town in more than a decade, that some consider important to the revitalization of Columbia Turnpike.

The 300 units of luxury apartments and 12,000 square feet of commercial space are proposed by 580 Columbia Turnpike LLC. The 35-acre site is where the Weathervane Restaurant stood for decades before it became derelict and was torn down in June 2016.

“It brings people to a really important part of the turnpike,” said Adam Yagelski, the town director of planning and development.

Community Support

Community Support
Posted on August 6, 2020 by Admin

On an afternoon in mid July an Officer came to work and found an object sitting on the picnic table directly outside the Nassau Police Station. It turned out to be a small rubber duck thought to be a child’s toy but after taking a closer look it was a rubber duck with a police officer hat, a thin blue line flag across the front and a hand written inscription that said “Thank You Nassau PD”. Within feet of the picnic table is the Village Pond, and floating in the pond were over a dozen identical ducks with the same hand written inscription. It is unknown who took the time and effort to make this heartfelt and thoughtful gesture and show of support to the Nassau (and all) Police Department(s) but we would like to Thank You!

The Ducks currently remain in the pond except 2, 1 of which is on display in the Police Station and 1 is in the Village Clerks Office.

Advertise:

New York’s ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign begins August 19

by: Mariann CabnessPosted: Aug 18, 2020 

NEW YORK (WWTI) – New York State Police and law enforcement agencies statewide will be ramping up enforcement of impaired driving beginning August 19.

The STOP-DWI “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is designed to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. The campaign lasts through September 7.

Read more...

Advertise: