New York, Albany County | featured news

AlbanyA new state rule, aimed at suppressing disease-carrying mosquitoes, could require farmers to cut open millions of tires now being used to hold down massive tarps over cattle feed.The farm industry is pushing back against a rule, set to take effect in May, that will require such tires to either be cut in half or have holes drilled in them to reduce standing water that mosquitoes use to breed.

Albany City School District officials are hoping state lawmakers can secure them more aid during state budget negotiations this spring as the district faces a potential $2.7 million budget gap next school year.

TROY – The city's North Central neighborhood will get a healthy $8 million boost as the nonprofit Capital Roots starts an expansion that will take up most of a River Street block and portions of three others to meet growing demand for its fresh produce and training.Known for its 52 community gardens across the Capital Region's four core counties and its Veggie Mobile, Capital Roots wants to feed new residents moving into North Central at a time when locally grown produce is becoming more popular.

BALLSTON SPA — A Schenectady man who injured a Ravenswood Pub owner who was trying to stop him from driving drunk pleaded guilty to a felony Monday in Saratoga County Court.Christopher W. Jones, 57, of Schenectady was driving out of the parking lot of the Ravenswood Pub in Clifton Park on June 3, 2017, when he struck two people with his vehicle, according to District Attorney's According to the Saratoga County District Attorney's Office.

Two blockchain companies based in Albany are joining forces and planning to hire around 130 people by the end of 2019.HashChain Technology Inc. (TSXV:KASH) (OTCQB: HSSHF) is acquiring NODE40 for $14 million in cash and stock combined, a move that will allow both companies to diversify and expand their services. HashChain is a cryptocurrency mining company, while NODE40 provides dash masternode services and cryptocurrency reporting software that helps assess gains, losses and other information for tax purposes.

ALBANY — Disgraced lobbyist Todd Howe made his long-awaited appearance Monday on the witness stand at the trial of former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco and three development executives.

TROY – A 29-year veteran city detective retired Friday the day he was arraigned for his alleged role in the coverup of a warrantless search by the police department's drug unit, the department confirmed Monday.Detective John A. Comitale Jr. retired from the department as a sealed indictment was opened Friday charging him and Detective Sgt. Ronald L. Epstein, the unit commander, in the case stemming from a June 9, 2017 entry into a second-floor apartment at 112 Oakwood Avenue.

Powerful winds forced officials at Albany International Airport to tow in a plane after it landed Monday morning, airport officials said.The plane stayed on the runway, airport spokesman Doug Myers said, but was battered by the wind after the landing at around 8:30 a.m.

BETHLEHEM – Police are trying to determine if a dead beagle-mix dog dumped on Clapper Road last week is connected to two other dead beagles that were disposed of in the same spot eight years ago.Bethlehem police Commander Adam Hornick confirmed Monday that police are trying to figure out if the same people are responsible for the cases, which involved dead beagle or beagle mix dogs being dumped in bags on the rural road in Selkirk.

Financially struggling Bon Ton Stores, which missed a $14 million interest payment last month, filed Sunday for Chapter 11 reorganization in federal bankruptcy court.The company last week announced 42 store closings, including its store in Aviation Mall in Queensbury, bringing the number of closings this year to 47.