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Unemployment rate drops in Capital Region

CAPITAL REGION - The jobless rate in the Capital Region is dropping.

New statistics out Tuesday from the state show the unemployment level in the Albany Schenectady Troy area has dropped from 7.2 in April of 2012 to 6.5 last month.

Glens Falls dropped from 8.3 to 7.8.

The State's jobless rate is also 7.8 percent.

Rensselaer County native graduates basic training

Rensselaer County native graduates basic training

 

SAN ANTONIO - Air Force Airman 1st Class CaryAnne Russell graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Russell is the daughter of Catherine Russell of Hoosick Falls, and Scott Russell of Eagle Bridge.

She is a 2006 graduate of Hoosick Falls Central School. She earned an associate degree in 2009 from Hudson Valley Community College, Troy.

NY gets $49M for hurricane damage to canal system

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $49 million for the New York State Canal Corporation to repair damage related to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Damages along the Erie Canal have been estimated to total $80 million.

After the late-summer storms in 2011, the Canal Corporation identified seven projects between Lock 8 and Lock 12 that were eligible for FEMA claims. The work includes structural repairs, paving, concrete work, pier construction, and erosion control.
 
The Canal Corporation also was awarded $4.2 million in reimbursements as part of its $34 million flood mitigation project to reinforce the eight movable dams in the Mohawk Valley.
 
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
 

NY reports crackdown on repeat drunken drivers

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York officials say their crackdown on repeat drunken drivers through new rules imposed last September has resulted in 3,164 potentially dangerous motorists being kept of the state's roadways.

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School district residents head to the polls Tuesday

SOUTH COLONIE- "The old axiom no news is good news, I guess we're living with that right now," said Tim Kremer, Executive Director of the New York State School Boards Association.

No news, Kremer said, meaning no outcries or big rallies against proposed school budget votes slated for tomorrow. A far cry from last year, when the property tax cap went into effect, leading to lay-offs, program cuts and school closures.

"There have been cuts and such, but slowly we're creeping back. Last year we got state aid, this year we get additional state aid of a billion dollars," he said.

But the increase wasn't enough for South Colonie schools, which is putting a budget before voters that exceeds the cap. The tax levy increase of 4.98% closes an eight-million-dollar gap, reduces spending and combines modified sports. It also cuts 90-95 positions.

Pair charged after steroids seized

RENSSELAER - Over $1 million worth of steroid and other controlled pharmaceutical drugs were seized from a home.

Under arrest are 33-year-old Zachery Wilkins and 28-year-old Holly Fiato.

They were charged after a search warrant was executed at their home.

The Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department tells NewsChannel 13 they found over 44,000 units of liquid steroids and more than 289,000 pharmaceutical pills.

Authorities also found two shotguns.

Officials say this was the result of a six-month investigation.

No word yet on where they got the drugs from.

 

The arrests were made possible through the joint effort of the United States Postal Inspection Service, DEA Albany, Homeland Security Investigation’s, Rensselaer Police Department and Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office as well as the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s.

Summer Geocache Challenge at NYS Parks

Summer Geocache Challenge at NYS Parks

 

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Saratoga/Capital District region of New York State Parks will be hosting 50 all new geocaches in 16 state parks and historic sites.

There will also be a drawing for prizes for anyone who completes 35 of the 50.

The geocache challenge will begin on Memorial Day Weekend and will last until Veterans Day.