News

NY has new grants for shooting ranges

Monday, April 15th, 2013, 9:38am

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The Cuomo administration, which has been under criticism from firearms-rights supporters for the state's new gun-control laws, has launched a new grant program for shooting ranges.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the new program will distribute $65,000 in matching grants this year for non-profit or municipal firing ranges across the state. The money comes from federal firearms tax money which is required to be used for educational programs.

Grant applications are being taken through May 31.

Ranges are used for developing firearms and archery proficiency necessary for safe and ethical hunting.

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Officials announce preservation of Hudson farms

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, 9:55am

TAGHKANIC, N.Y. (AP) - The push continues to preserve farms in the Hudson Valley.

Officials from valley conservation groups and government agencies are set to announce new actions to preserve prime agricultural land. Development has spread across the Hudson Valley in recent decades, putting more pressure on farmers.

The conservation group Scenic Hudson will announce the initiative Tuesday afternoon at a farm in Columbia County. They will be joined by representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Columbia Land Conservancy, the Dutchess Land Conservancy and Columbia County.

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NY state proposes letting jails shut law libraries

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, 9:50am

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York corrections officials have proposed letting local jails across the state close law libraries used by inmates.

The state Commission of Correction says that could save each jail about $5,000 a year, though the 63 jails would still have to preserve prisoner access rights to legal materials.

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East Schodack fire company claims $9,300 theft by auxiliary

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Thursday, April 4th, 2013, 6:10pm

EAST SCHODACK – The volunteer fire company claims it is the victim of a $9,300 theft, by their own ladies auxiliary.

What makes this story really shocking, the woman they are accusing of stealing the $9,300 on behalf of the auxiliary not only had been a member of that ladies group, she also had been an active firefighter. And in fact, she had been Fireman of the Year four times

Now this has been going on, behind the scenes for more than three years. Back in April of 2010, the company says it disbanded the auxiliary but the company claims that's when the treasurer of the auxiliary, a woman by the name of Jean Schweigert, withdrew the $9,300 from a bank account.

The attorney for Schweigert and for two other officers of the auxiliary say the women wanted to donate that money to the Firemen's Home in Hudson.

But the fire company says it's not the women's money and they are really stealing it.

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Thruway Authority announces 200 layoffs

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 12:25pm

ALBANY - It's been a rough road for the workers of the thruway authority as their unions continue to negotiate with the state government.

More than 200 people are expected to lose their jobs as part of layoffs announced back in January.

For many of them, Wednesday will be their last day.

Full time thruway and the canal system workers from all regions will lose their jobs, including the Albany headquarters.

The layoff is said to save the authority $20 million a year.

Some of the targeted workers have retired since the announcement.

The thruway authority operates the statewide toll highway and New York’s canal system.

The authority has nearly 3,000 employees.

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Gillibrand: change the way dairy farmers get paid

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 9:40am

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says the federal government needs to change the way dairy farmers get paid for their milk.

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NY trout, salmon fishing season opens

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Monday, April 1st, 2013, 12:34pm

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - It's opening day for trout and salmon fishing in New York.

The Department of Environmental Conservation plans to stock more than 2 million catchable-size trout in 307 lakes and ponds and 3,000 miles of streams statewide this spring. About 2,000 of them are being released in Albany's Six Mile Waterworks Monday morning during a free fishing event.

Environmental Commissioner Joe Martens will be there to talk about other upcoming free fishing days.

The environmental agency also plans to stock about 2 million yearling lake trout, steelhead, salmon and splake this spring to provide angling opportunities over the next several years.

Stocking begins in late March and early April in the lower Hudson Valley, Long Island and western New York, and moves to the Catskills and Adirondacks as weather permits.

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