State bans burning garbage in all towns

by PARRY TEASDALE

Local police as well as DEC officials will enforce new prohibition

ALBANY–Burning residential waste anywhere in Columbia County will become illegal beginning next week.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has extended the existing prohibition on open burning of residential waste by prohibiting the practice in all communities statewide, regardless of population. The regulation, which takes effect next Wednesday, October 14, makes exceptions for burning tree limbs and branches at limited times and for certain other types of outdoor burning.

Read more…

Friends, community help student fight cancer

by GAIL HEINSOHN

NASSAU–May 3 of this year, New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School junior Kristine Greco was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Two days later, the plum-sized tumor was reKristine Grecomoved, but found to be medulla blastoma, a  brain cancer. On the web page www.caringbridge.org/visit/kristineg she created to keep her friends apprised of her treatment, Kristine spelled out her reaction: “Let the fight begin.”

Kristine is still fighting: She travels three or four days a week to Albany Medical Center, says her mother, Linda Burkart. “She gets fluids and blood transfusions and tests and sees the oncologist.” Once a month she is admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy. Her parents–her father, Augie, lives in New Lebanon–spell each other keeping Kristine company while she’s an in-patient.

Read more…

Deputies investigate two attempted abductions in Philmont

by DIANE VALDEN

PHILMONT—Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a possible attempted child abduction on Eagle Street in the Village Wednesday at 7:13 a.m.
The father of an 11-year-old girl reported that while his daughter walked along the street, a white pickup truck slowly followed her and at one point the driver asked the child if she missed the school bus and offered to give her a ride to school. Read more…

NY American Lung Ass’n offers online flu clinic locator

by STAFF

ALBANY—The American Lung Association in New York has established an online Flu Clinic Locator to allow New Yorkers to search by zip code for nearby public influenza vaccination clinics where they can get a seasonal flu shot.
The online directory is available at www.flucliniclocator.org [1]. The site can also be accessed through the association’s website by visiting www.alany.org [2] and clicking on the Find a Flu Clinic icon.
Read more…

Youth celebrate local food and agriculture

by STAFF

ALBANY—Farm to You Fest 2009! takes place in schools and communities throughout the state October 5 to 11.
Officially known as New York Harvest for New York Kids Week, this annual event is a celebration of local food and agriculture, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced in a press release.
Read more…