The Guilderland IDA unanimously approved $2.2 million in tax breaks for Costco. https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/guilderland-ida-backs-2-2-million-tax-breaks-18334088.php
The owner of five historic buildings on Troy’s River and Front Streets wants to knock them down because the city hasn’t installed a sewer line to them. The city says they can’t install the line until he tells them how he plans to use the buildings. Razing the buildings could threaten the structural integrity of neighboring buildings and of River Street, which is held in place by the Front Street buildings. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/troy-s-oldest-downtown-commercial-buildings-face-18306630.php
A Gloversville neo-Nazi cried in court while pleading guilty to conspiring to rob a bank and to possessing a weapon he wasn’t allowed to have because he previously assaulted his wife. He previously operated Tyr Tactical Training, focused on “primitive survival skills.” His social media and group chats are filled with Nazi shit. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/alleged-neo-nazi-gloversville-weighs-guilty-plea-18300661.php
NYRA asked Saratoga Springs to remove animal rights protesters from the racecourse entrance. The city did not do that (which would be illegal; it’s a public sidewalk) but pressured them to reduce the number of people there. Counter-protesters from a group backed by NYRA showed up. The animal rights group thinks they were trying to force a confrontation which would allow police to remove them. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/churchill-hiding-saratoga-horse-deaths-conceals-18333794.php
The Schenectady school district is proposing modifications to its grading system that will make grading more consistent across classrooms and end consideration of attendance or behavior in academic grades. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/schenectady-city-schools-look-make-grading-18338351.php
Broadview has donated a hydroponic “freight farm” to the regional food bank, which allows it to grow fresh produce year-round. Apparently it has previously funded them for other local groups so hopefully it works out well, but it strikes me as a logistical headache and unlikely to save a ton of money over buying wholesale produce. https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/broadview-federal-credit-union-donates-farm-18334141.php
Stewart’s won awards for chocolate and Mint Cookie Crumble ice creams at the state fair, and again won the best milk award. https://www.stewartsshops.com/news/stewarts-shops-wins-big-at-the-new-york-state-fair-once-again/