Hans Christian Anderson, not so Walt Disney

A few hours ago it was confirmed that Emma Watson was chosen to play the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. But that's not all! Prince Eric will be played by Daniel Radcliffe!

This new production of Disney's animated classic is planned for release in 2015 and will be a live action telling filmed digitally in 3D.

Don't look for "Happily Ever After" here.

The Little Mermaid, the classic fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, will be made into a live-action movie by Universal Studios. To the excitement of many of her fans, Sofia Coppola has been chosen to direct the film. Directing the classic fairy tale will be a complete change from the genre that made her popular.

Coppola is known for her adult-themed films that tackle topics on adultery, romance, parenthood and death. Caroline Thompson, who will write the script, has started working with Kelly Marcel and Abi Morgan on their previous drafts. With four brilliant female filmmakers in charge of handling The Little Mermaid, it is expected that the movie will present something exciting and novel. The movie's plot is still being kept a secret, although we can expect that it will center on the romance between a mermaid and a human being.

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Contact: Edward Parham, Director of Public Relations
Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations, Inc.
(518) 446-1091

EASTWYCK VILLAGE TO HOST 

NORTH GREENBUSH TOWN HISTORIAN ON April 17

NORTH GREENBUSH, NY (Tuesday, April 8, 2014) — North Greenbush Town Historian Jim Greenfield will give a lecture on the history of Defreestville and Wynantskill called, “A Tale of Two Hamlets” on

Thursday, April 17 at 2 p.m. at Eastwyck Village, 1720 Best Rd., North Greenbush.

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Rensselaer police officer was sentenced to prison

TROY -- A former Rensselaer police officer was sentenced to prison for driving drunk and killing his childhood friend in a crash. Mark Fusco pleaded guilty to first degree vehicular manslaughter Friday afternoon.

Fusco admitted he had a blood alcohol content of .18 or greater when he crashed into a tree in East Greenbush on March 13, 2013. His passenger, Sean Murphy, 22, was killed. Fusco said he couldn’t remember why the two got in the car after taking taxis all night. Murphy’s family said early reports that they had forgotten something in a taxi and were trying to catch up were untrue. Sean’s mother, Coreen, read the only victim impact statement during sentencing. Read more...

Mickey Rooney, versatile actor and master showman, dies at 93

 (Reuters) - Actor Mickey Rooney, who became the United States' biggest movie star while a brash teenager in the 1930s and later a versatile character actor in a career that spanned 10 decades, died on Sunday of natural causes, Los Angeles authorities said. He was 93.

Rooney, who developed a reputation as a hard-partying, off-screen brat in his heyday and married eight times, died at his home in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said, citing information from the Los Angeles Police Department.

"He was undoubtedly the most talented actor [who] ever lived. 

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The ‘double life’ of Mickey Rooney

It has been reported that Rooney, who died on April 6 at the age of 93, had an estate valued at only $18,000. A victim of financial elder abuse, Rooney's life was far from that of the idealized teenager Andy Hardy. See Video

Bill Clinton Offers a Voter ID Solution That We Can All Agree On?

Strengthening voter ID laws is a hot topic – one that seems to be synonymous with racism and discrimination in liberals’ minds, despite most of the country being in support of it.

Former President Bill Clinton may have come up with a solution: adding photos to Social Security cards.With 34 states now requiring some form of identification at the polls, former president Bill Clinton and civil rights leader Andrew Young on Wednesday endorsed the idea of adding photos to Social Security cards as a way to prevent voter suppression.

“I’m not against photo identification, but only as long as the cards are free and easily accessible. Providing eligible voters the ability to obtain a photo on a Social Security card eliminates any genuine concern,” Young said. He called on Obama to issue an executive order making such photos available.

Clinton did not go so far as to urge executive action. However, he said, putting photos on Social Security cards would represent “a way forward that eliminates error,” without having to “paralyze and divide a country with significant challenges.”

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Stephen Colbert named new host of CBS 'Late Show'

© AP / Stephen Colbert

April 10, 2014, 12:03 PM EST

By Tony Maglio
TheWrap

CBS has named Stephen Colbert its new host of "Late Show," the network said Monday.

The comedian and political satirist will take on his new duties after David Letterman retires next year.

Photos: Late-night hosts

Colbert inked a five-year deal with CBS, according to the network. Specific creative elements, as well as the producers and the location for the Colbert-hosted "Late Show," have yet to be determined and announced at a later date, CBS said.

Letterman, who has sat behind the "Late Show" desk for 21 years, announced his pending 2015 retirement on April 3. The long-tenured late night personality mentioned 2015 as his exit year, though no more specific timeframe has been targeted at this point.

"Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television,"

Craig Wilkinson was honored

Schodack Central School District

Craig Wilkinson was honored at the Questar III Board meeting on April 9 with the G. Lucius Cary Annual Service Leadership Award for his incredible volunteer work in Schodack schools and the community. “Craig is a valuable asset to our students, faculty and staff for the Schodack Central School District as well as in the community. If you see him, please take a moment to thank him for all that he does while asking for nothing in return,” said Superintendent Bob Horan. Congratulations Craig!

(5 photos)

"Mr. Schodack" everybody knows him...everybody loves him.

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Town Center Meeting MOVED

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Town Offices: (518) 477-7938

Public Announcement – Town of Schodack 

Town Center Plan for Route 9/20

Meeting Moved!

When: Thursday, April 23, 2014 at 7 pm
Where: Green Meadow Elementary School - Auditorium