Got him!

Updated: Sunday, June 28 2015, 11:22 PM EDT CONSTABLE, N.Y. (AP) -- 
The latest on the manhunt following the escape of two convicted murderers from a maximum-security prison (all times local): 8 p.m.Read More...

A prosecutor says the surviving inmate who broke out of an upstate New York prison three weeks ago will be charged with escape, burglary and other counts.

David Sweat was captured Sunday afternoon after being shot twice by a state police sergeant less than two miles from the Canadian border.

Sgt. Jay Cook was by himself when he shot and wounded Sweat after the fugitive refused a command to stop.

Sweat and fellow inmate Richard Matt escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility on June 6. Matt was shot and killed after being spotted by authorities on Friday.
 

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie says Sweat has not been formally interviewed by investigators but any information he provides could be critical to the ongoing investigation. Sweat transported to Albany Med for treatment.

Two jail employees face charges in connection with the escape.

http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/features/top-story/stories/breaking-state-police-take-2nd-escapee-into-custody-26759.shtml 

http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/06/28/david-sweat-new-york-manhunt.cnn

It's now the Law of the Land

Landmark: Supreme Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Legal Nationwide

www.dailykos.com

"It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves," Kennedy wrote. "Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."

"When all Americans are treated as equal we are all more free," the president said.

"Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."

"There are days like this, when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt."

Watch TODAY

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"Let's everybody remain calm."

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is entering the 2016 Republican presidential nomination contest and will announce that Tuesday at his old high school, several people familiar with his plans told The Associated Press.

Still, Christie stopped short of denying that an announcement was planned for next week at Livingston High School, which he graduated from in 1980. [Grammar alert! 'from where he graduated in 1980.']

Christie plans to make his announcement in the gymnasium of Livingston High School in the leafy suburban town where he grew up, about 30 miles west of New York City. He served as class president at the school for three years, and began his yearbook graduation message with the quote, "Great Hopes make Great Men." Christie often talks about how his upbringing shaped his rough-and-tumble persona.

After the announcement, Christie is scheduled to head to New Hampshire, where he will hold a town hall meeting in Sandown on Tuesday evening. He plans to remain in the state through July 4, according to a person with direct knowledge of the plan. The person lacked authorization to release details of Christie's rollout and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The decision underscores the importance for Christie of doing well in New Hampshire, which holds the party's first primary and has historically welcomed moderate candidates who visit often.

Read more...

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

For Immediate Release

June 24, 2015
Re: Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline Project

Dear Neighbor,

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will soon hold scoping hearings in our area to hear from us how the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline project (NED) will impact our lives, homes, communities, towns and environment. This is our opportunity to tell FERC how the pipeline and compressor station will impact us and almost everything around us - water use and quality, health, fisheries, vegetation, wildlife, cultural resources, agriculture, farms, soils, land use, recreation, aesthetics, air and noise quality, security and reliability, historic sites, and more.

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

STRIDE Adaptive Sports Featured in TIME

Local Wounded Warrior and his adoptive ‘Momma’ featured in TIME magazine

Rensselaer, NY – TSGT Timothy McDonough was living in Ghent NY when he met the CEO of STRIDE Adaptive Sports for the first time. He wore dark glasses, barely spoke and was attached at the hip to his German Shepherd Service dog, Bailey. Mary Ellen Whitney gently and consistently lured him into getting involved promising results if he would just try to step outside his belief that he was permanently disabled.

McDonough signed up for the STRIDE Warrior Snowfest at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in March of 2012, and learned to snowboard with some adaptive assistance from the STRIDE program operated there. The experience opened the door for him, and he began healing through getting involved in other programs. That summer, McDonough fell in love with STRIDE Center for Outdoor Recreation & Education (SCORE) camp in Chatham, as his solace and safe place for recreation, relaxation and building relationships.

Fast forward to 2015, McDonough now lives in Spokane Washington with his family, where his wife’s family hails. He is connected with numerous Wounded Warrior organization that offer adaptive sports that he loves, such as swimming, archery and shooting. Something clicked for McDonough, and his talents became apparent. A few short months ago, he attended the very first Wounded Warrior Air Force Trials, and took a bronze on freestanding rifle shooting. More recently, he earned the first ever Recurve Archery Gold for the AF trials. He also become a mentor for others and was given the Care Beyond Duty Mentorship Award. Not only has he pushed himself, but has been inspiring and pushing other wounded, ill and injured airmen.

His story was profiled in TIME magazine – just hitting the shelves, www.time.com/wounded-warriors , and he credits STRIDE Adaptive Sports and Mary Ellen Whitney as his adoptive “Momma’ .

Mary Ellen Whitney, CEO of STRIDE, couldn’t be happier “I am enormously proud of Tim and many others who struggle daily with demons of war memories; and yet they dare to step forward to learn a better way, through helping others. Integrating our veterans with youth who have disabilities is a powerful tool for healing, Tim is a fine example of this STRIDE philosophy”.

More info can be found by calling 518-598-1279.
Advertise locally:

Project Red uncovered

Catherine Sager (SchodackSCENE)
SCHODACK –

In a covert effort to blow the roof of the mysterious warehouse project proposed for the corner of routes 9 & 20 and 150, I went undercover, posing as an interested resident prepared to bypassed security and shed some light on the possibly scandalous actions of Project Red.

Read more...
Advertise:

Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline

Meeting tomorrow 7-9 PM at the senior center in Schodack.  about the high pressure, fracked gas pipeline and compressor station proposed to be located in Schodack

Sponsored by: Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline. If you want to learn more, you can visit www.stopnypipeline.org

For further information contact: John Serio, 518-733-0095Email: Lisa Zimmerman at lisaz11659@gmail.com

Why so mysterious?

Town officials are quiet on a mysterious warehouse project proposed for the corner of routes 9 & 20 and 150. Suspiciously quiet.

Site of a proposed warehouse, known as "Project Red," off Route 150 in Schodack on June 1, 2015. (Bob Gardinier/Times Union)

"There is not much that we really know right now," Dowds said. "They were here with representatives from the county and said they really want a confidentiality clause at this time and we agreed."

Perhaps the reason for secrecy is the neighbors past resistance to commercial business on a large scale. The site is considered prime for commercial development but there is great opposition that business would be a disruptive presence that would harm the rural town's character.

2001 a proposal to mine gravel from the southwest corner of the intersection on 9 & 20 and Rt. 150 failed

In 2012, Dollar Tree proposed a 1-million-square-foot distribution center with pressure from residents on Julianne Drive and Richwood Drive.  Dollar Tree backed out.

Project Red has already come under fire from residents of the nearby neighborhoods.

The cloak and dagger approach isn't making the project very transparent.

 

That's never a good thing.

Advertise 

SCHODACK LEADERS HIDE "PROJECT RED"

SCHODACK LEADERS HIDE "PROJECT RED"

The Public Hearing for the mysterious warehouse called "Project Red" will be 7 PM at the next Schodack Planning Board meeting on Monday June 15 at the town hall. I have never seen an applicant with a large project get such fast and secretive progress toward getting approval.

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

“Strides 4 STRIDE” 5K & 2K Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll

STRIDE Adaptive Sports celebrating Olympic Day with

“Strides 4 STRIDE” 5K & 2K Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll

Event to feature U.S. Paralympian Kim Seevers

ALBANY, NY – The spirit of the Olympic Movement will roll into Albany, as STRIDE Adaptive Sports hosts a 5K & 2K Run, Walk ‘n’ Roll combined event in celebration of Olympic Day.

“Tall, Dark and Gruesome.”

Christopher Lee Dies at 93; Actor Breathed Life Into Nightmarish Villains

Christopher Lee, the physically towering British movie actor who lent his distinguished good looks, Shakespearean voice and aristocratic presence to a gallery of villains, from a seductive Count Dracula to a dreaded wizard in “The Lord of the Rings,” died on Sunday in London. He was 93.

Pancake Breakfast and Annual Plant Swap / Sale

Please join us at the Kinderhook Reformed Church for our annual plant swap/sale on Saturday, May 30th from 8-12 noon. We are located on route 9 in the village of Kinderhook. Here is partial listing of plants: Rhubarb, Jacob’s Ladder, Rose of Sharon, spirea, Bee Balm, Pholx, Sedums, hostas, Astilbe, Tansy, lugwort, iris, lilies, houseplants, heavenly blue morning glory vines... details and directions can be found on our website

Memorial Day

Join our Team - Help Wanted

If working indoors all summer sounds just awful, our professional team of landscapers and property managers want to meet you!
Our satisfied customers are helping our Property Management company grow and grow!

Columbia Highl 1st Place Division C National Champions

TOP STUDENTS FROM COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL COMPETE IN THE 2015 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN

Columbia High School National Champions

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) hosted more than 5,000 students, educators and parents from all 50 states during the 31st Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament on May 15-16, 2015. A team of talented students from (Columbia High School in East Greenbush and coached by Diana Prout represented New York at the National Tournament.

His Mother Helped Him Realize His Music Abilities and other Sawyer Facts

Sawyer Fredericks,

 ‘The Voice':
5 Fast Facts

You Need to Know

Pipeline opposition meeting Tuesday

Next meeting for pipeline opposition is Tuesday May 19th 7-9 PM at the Schodack senior center just north of 9&20 intersection on rte 150.  

[We] will discuss our next plan for pipeline opposition and form committees to do so. 

Many of you have already submitted some excellent ideas so we will try to formulate a plan and prioritize our next steps.

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Presidant to ban Military-Style Equipment

"President Obama on Monday will ban the federal provision of some types of military-style equipment to local police departments and sharply restrict the availability of others, administration officials said, as he intensifies his push to ease tensions between law enforcement and minority communities in reaction to the crises in Baltimore; Ferguson, Mo.; and other cities." [NYT]
“I don’t think there’s a lot of trust,” Chuck Canterbury, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said in an interview.

East Greenbush Pop Warner Run into Summer 5K Fundraiser & Garage Sale

Saturday June 13th, 2015 

EGPW Romer Field (29 Englewood Ave East Greenbush, NY 12061)
$20.00 Entry Fee until June 10th
Registrations received before June 1st will be guaranteed a T-shirt!
Discounts for Teams!

HELP Wanted

Opening soon!

Can't wait to try their breakfast menu!

One note.

B.B. King saved the blues.
The Reverend Shawn Amos Writer Yahoo Music May 15, 2015

B.B. King possessed what every musician desires: a signature sound. One guitar note, one word from his mouth and you instantly knew it was B.B. King. He made his Gibson guitar sing. He made the world swing. But B.B. King matters for one reason beyond his musical prowess.

The music icon died in his sleep at 9:40 p.m. Thursday, the Associated Press reports. He was 89.

Good News for Schodack!

Schodack Town Board says "Kinder Morgan, by its subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline, LLC - no, thank you!"

2015-145) WHEREAS, Kinder Morgan, by its subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline, LLC, is proposing a large natural gas pipeline to run through southern Rensselaer County, including the Town of Schodack, referenced as the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline project; and WHEREAS, Kinder Morgan is seeking approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for federal eminent domain status, to allow the project to proceed;

and WHEREAS, the citizens of the Town of Schodack have expressed strong opposition to this project, based upon a series of concerns:

Help Wanted

Contributors welcome!

Do you have a story to share? Photos of local events? A new business in town?

Send your copy to catherine.sager@ yahoo.com.

How many people saw your ad today?

Schodack

David Cassidy's drunken driving case is officially closed.

Cassidy, 65, was sentenced in town court in absentia for a 21-month-old arrest for driving while intoxicated.

Town Justice Bruce Wagner issued his 11-page ruling sentencing the former star of "The Partridge Family," who lives in Florida, to a $900 fine, suspending his driving privileges for six months and having an Ignition Interlock Device installed to prevent him from starting a car drunk. He also must do 50 hours of community service with the Children's Home Society of Florida and waive his right to appeal. Wagner's ruling allows Cassidy to avoid appearing in court.

Read more...

MAPLE HILL VARSITY SOFTBALL ARE PATROON CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2001!

Photo by Coleen Papas

Photo by Coleen Papas

Contribute your photos!

Community Budget Vote

Community Budget Vote – Tuesday, 5/19 from 6a  to 9p 

The community budget vote will be held Tuesday, May 19 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the High School gym. The proposed budget requires no cuts to programs or staffing. It increases the tax levy by an estimated 2.5%, which is below what New York’s Property Tax Cap allows. There are also two propositions, one to create a Capital Reserve Fund and one to purchase two school buses. The budget newsletter is available as a pdf here...

Spring Clean up days in Schodack

May 14-6 7a-3p

Town: Spring Cleanup Days

Reduced rate recycling at the Transfer Station 

Read the rules: here

Town Board Meetings

Kinder Morgan and Tennessee Gas pipeline companies propose to build a 36 inch diameter gas pipeline through Schodack. The pressure in these pipelines will be 1460 pounds per square inch, which is more than twice the volume and pressure in the existing 3 pipelines that go through our town. A large 90,000 horsepower compressor station, to push the gas along the pipeline, with three Titan 250 gas turbines is proposed on the Schodack/Nassau border (the existing Malden Bridge compressor station is a little over 10,000 HP). This is an industrial structure that emits noise and light 24/7 and off-gases periodically to regulate the pressure. The proposed pipeline would carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania through Schodack, Nassau and Stephentown and end in Dracut, Massachusetts. In September 2015 Kinder Morgan plans to file its application for approval to build this pipeline from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

This week are the town board meetings with Schodack (Thursday) and Nassau (Wednesday) where we hope both towns will pass strong resolutions opposing the pipeline. If you can, try to attend these meeting so our town officials realize how important this is to us.

Submitted by Lisa Zimmerman

Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline


Town Boards

Schodack

THURSDAY May 14 2015 7pm

Regular Meeting Draft Agenda, when available
Public Hearing: 7:15 pm re Amending the Zoning Law to provide regulation of Solar Energy systems

Nassau

 THURSDAY May 14, 2015 - Monthly Town Board meeting starts at 7:00PM.

Proposed Gas Pipeline Information

Expansion of the existing Tennessee Gas Pipeline is proposed in our area.  This page will be the place we try to consolidate all the information we have on the project.