The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Woods Brook Buyout Issues Continue

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by Doug La Rocque
Since what has been described as the 100-year storm occurred on July 1, 2017, the Woods Brook and in particular where it passes through the Village has been in front of the Hoosick Falls Board of Trustees nearly every meeting since. The Trustees’ Tuesday, September 13 meeting was no exception.

The vast majority of the clean-up work is done and the Village voted earlier this year to erect fencing for both safety and aesthetic concerns. Along Hall Street that is complete, but at 107/115 Main Street, not so much. The NYS grant that pays for the Woods Brook clean-up was set to expire soon, but has been extended with a requirement for more information concerning the fencing. [Read more…] about Woods Brook Buyout Issues Continue

Young Anglers Fishing Tournament

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On Sunday morning, August 7th, the Lake Lauderdale Improvement Association, Inc. hosted their 26th annual young anglers fishing tournament on beautiful Lake Lauderale. The 37 young anglers, ages 2 to 15 years old, lined the county park shoreline for a fun morning of fishing, face painting, food and prizes. 

Jonah Steven caught the largest fish, a 25 ½ inch Northern Pike, and was the grand prize winner. Francis MacJarrett caught the most fish of the day, twenty-one! Other prize winners: Age group 2-7 years: 1st place Connor Conklin, 2nd place Ellie Amatriello, 3rd place Parker Morrison. Age group 8-11 years: 1st place Eli Barnes, 2nd place Asa Steffen, 3rd place Justin Tully. Age group 12-15 years: 1st place Evan Yurshack, 2nd place Brigid Toleman, 3rd place Michael Becker.

Thanks to the generosity and support from individual donations and Cambridge area businesses, all young anglers received a prize for participating in this event. This annual event hosted by the LLIA, Inc. provides a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a fun morning of fishing and fun. Please visit www.lakelauderdale.org for a full list of sponsors and photos. [Read more…] about Young Anglers Fishing Tournament

Power Lunch Needs Reading Mentors 

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Do you enjoy reading to children? Do you have an hour a week to spare? Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has a pressing need for at last 10 volunteer reading mentors for the Everybody WINS! Power Lunch program at Van Rensselaer Elementary in Rensselaer as well as School 2 and School 14 in Troy.

Everybody Wins! is an innovative reading and mentoring program that increases children’s prospects for success in school and in life. Power Lunch pairs elementary school children one-to-one with volunteers from nearby businesses, colleges and the community. Once a week, reading partners enjoy conversation together at the school, and the adult reads a book aloud to the child while he/she eats lunch.

 Readers will be required to attend a training session on Wednesday, September 28, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm at Hart Hall on the campus of Russell Sage College, 71 First Street, Troy. To register or for more information, contact 518-244-4650 or litvoldirector@aol.com.

Patricia J. Marsh – Obituary

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Hoosick Falls – Patricia J. Marsh, 89, passed away on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, Vermont. She resided on Beechwood Road in Hoosick Falls and was the wife of the late Robert Marsh.

Patricia was born on January 16, 1933 in Hertford, England, daughter of the late Wilfred and Ruby (Phipps) Farnham. She was the longest standing Hoosick Falls Wrestling fan, having attended competitions from 1976-2020. Pat was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, she enjoyed her dogs and gardens very much. She was a proud British citizen for her entire life. [Read more…] about Patricia J. Marsh – Obituary

Walter L. Gates Sr. – Obituary

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Hoosick Falls – A good-humored father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Walter “Wally” Leo Gates Jr. left this world suddenly on September 7, 2022 at age 52.

Survivors include his father Walter L. Gates Sr., his children Kathleen (Patrick) Miller-Rhodes of Danville, IN, Kendra (Rene) Contreras of Killeen, TX, and Shawn Gates of Killeen, TX, his grandchild Madison Contreras of Killeen, TX, and his siblings Scott (Merry) Gates of Pittstown, NY, Michelle (JoAnn) Gates of Carmel, NY, Lynn Gates of Bennington, VT, and Heather (Rob) Gates of Clearwater, FL. Wally was predeceased by a brother Keith Gates and his mother Beverly A. Gates. [Read more…] about Walter L. Gates Sr. – Obituary

Edwin Thomas Webster Sr. – Obituary

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Hoosick – Edwin “Tom” Thomas Webster Sr., 80, passed away on Friday, September 9th, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT. He resided in Hoosick, NY, with his wife, Mary Frances (Williams) Webster.

Youngest son of the late Edwin W. and Florence A. (Callahan) Webster, Tom was born on December 23, 1941, in Hoosick Falls. He was educated at Saint Mary’s Academy and Hoosick Falls Central School. Tom worked at Albany Airport beginning in 1963 and retired in 2006 as the New York State Police Aviation Director of Aircraft Maintenance. [Read more…] about Edwin Thomas Webster Sr. – Obituary

Fatal Pedestrian-Auto Crash on Route 2

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Rensselaer County Sheriff Press Release
On September 12, at 9:06 pm, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a pedestrian-automobile accident on NY-2 and Blue Factory Road in the Town of Brunswick. 

Upon arrival to the scene, Deputies spoke with members of the responding Fire Department and determined the male pedestrian was deceased. The vehicle involved was off the roadway a short distance from the scene, with members of the Fire Department working to [Read more…] about Fatal Pedestrian-Auto Crash on Route 2

KFC Comes to Roost

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by Doug La Rocque
Kentucky Fried Chicken opened its fifth restaurant in the greater Capital Region on Tuesday morning, September 15 at 668 Hoosick Road, next to Planet Fitness. The Grand Opening included a “Free Chicken for a Year” gift card for the first 50 customers through the door. (They did not last long). Owned by KBP Brands, this new eatery plans to hire 50+ new team members and offers what they label as competitive wages, benefits, flexible schedules, and scholarship opportunities. Those interested can apply at www.KFC.com/careers.

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GOP Election Commissioner Charged With Ballot Fraud

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by Doug La Rocque
Rensselaer County’s Republican Election Commissioner Jason Schofield was arrested by FBI Agents Tuesday morning, September 13, and later arraigned in Federal Court in Albany on charges of ballot fraud. According to the indictment, Schofield is alleged to have taken possession of absentee ballots, brought them to voters to sign, but not actually vote—which allowed him or other individuals to cast ballots in their name. Schofield pled not guilty to the charges and was released pending future court appearances.

The FBI’s investigation into the ballot fraud case involving last November’s general election saw former Troy City Councilwoman Kim Ashe-McPherson arrested on similar charges in June, which resulted in a guilty plea and her resignation from the Council.

If convicted, Schofield could face a prison term of up to five years, a potential $250,000 fine, and probation. 

IDA Tables Solar Request

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More Residential Traffic Complaints

by Doug La Rocque
There were two meetings of importance to the Town of Brunswick on Thursday, September 8. The first was held by the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) where a request by CVE North America for sales and mortgage tax exemptions and possible funding was discussed. The Town vehemently opposed the request with a letter from Supervisor Phil Herrington read into the record at a public hearing, held just two days earlier. The Supervisor pointed out the commercial solar project already has agreed to a Payment in Lieu of Taxes stipulation, which affords CVE a significant tax break. Mr. Herrington further stated that except for the construction period, the project does not create any full-time jobs and asked that the request be rejected. [Read more…] about IDA Tables Solar Request