Tamara Starr

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One person has died, and six people were taken to the hospital after a major fire at 54 Broad St. in Waterford.

The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum plans to take experience on the road During Susan B. Anthony's lifetime , she was involved in many movements around Albany, including the temperance movement, the anti-slavery movement, and, of course, women's rights. The museum announced that it had received an operational grant from the Mass Cultural Council. When we visited yesterday, the executive director shared with us just a few of the many plans the museum has in store. Right now, the museum is open to the public, and the house can be opened on any day for school field trips—even when the museum is closed. However, James Capuzzi, the museum's executive director, says they want to take things a step further by offering students a chance to get involved with re-enactments without leaving their classrooms. “We and one of our volunteers, who dresses up and reenacts Susan B Anthony, go to your school, and we will bring Susan B Anthony to you. We have activities. We end [the session] with making our own protest signs and marching around the schools. So it's a great experience for students. If it's difficult to get a bus- which it can be in Berkshire County- we will do that work and come to you and bring everything, reinvigorate students, and get them that living history. That experiential learning.” For more information on how to volunteer or how to invite the museum to a school, visit the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum at 67 East Road (PO Box 244), Adams, MA 01220. Trip organizers can also contact the museum via phone or email at 413-743-7121, [email protected], or http://www.susanbanthonybirthplace.com

Collar City Mushrooms is moving to Indian Ladder Farms Collar City Mushrooms have been growing mushrooms for food markets and restaurants for three years. Now, they are not only transitioning their operations to Indian Ladder Farms ; Collar City Mushrooms and Indian Ladder Farms say they are excited about working together. “This is a farm; we grow tons of different things. We love for them to be here growing the mushrooms,” Laura Ten Eyck, Manager at Indian Ladder Farm, said. “It's something else that we can do here on the farm, and we don't actually have to provide the staffing or expertise because they're all bringing everything needed to the table.” But Avery Stempel, Owner of Collar City Mushrooms, has also been advocating for the medical use of psilocybin , which is a psychedelic version of mushrooms. Stempel is also one of the writers of a bill that will allow the growth, cultivation, and adult use of psychedelics for the treatment of certain health conditions like PTSD or Parkinsons Disease. The bill will also provide certification of support service providers and licensing cultivators. According to Stemple, most Western medicines are derived from some fungi. And he has met some oncologists and doctors who have been treating patients with mushrooms for decades. And that the rediscovery of mushrooms is spreading further than the mushrooms themselves in the forest. “Sun-dried shitake is high in Vitamin D. We make a lotion that you put on your skin and helps absorb Vitamin D. Lions Mane Mushrooms is neutropenic whose active compounds pass the blood-brain barrier and promote neural connections and neural growth,” Avery Stempel said. “None of these statements have been approved by the FDA, but they've shown remarkable efficacy in treating Alzheimers, Dementia, and even Parkinsons Disease.” The bill is currently with the assembly committee, but Stempel hopes for the bill to be passed within the next two to three years. For now, he is focused on continuing the transition from Collar City to Albany County. “But while we're shifting production from Troy to Indian Ladder Farms, it has been proven difficult,” he said. “But once the farm store here at Indian Ladder reopens after their renovations, the products we had at our store in Troy will be on the shelves here.”

Albany County Legislature votes to raise hotel tax The Albany County Legislature passed a proposal to raise the county's hotel occupancy tax on Monday night. However, opponents of the bill say this will only stop hotels in the county from attracting new business. This measure will raise the county hotel tax from 6% to 6.5% , and this was a part of the 2025 Executive Budget released by Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. The 26 to 9 vote means the tax will be raised for three years, giving the county an estimated revenue of $10.4 million from the hotel tax. Some county officials say the extra money would be used to promote tourism in the county. However, county legislators like Mark Grimm of Guilderland said he was concerned the law would deter visitors from visiting the county since nearby counties charge less than six percent. “The fact of the matter is, if you were to look at the numbers here, it would be $800,000 a year for that half percent, based on the old estimates in the 2025 budget. And this legislation is for three years, that's $2.4 million. This is real money. This money is going to the government; it could instead have been in the hands of real people,” Grimm said during the meeting. “People say to me this is for economic development, but my question is, how will we be charging more money to visitors for a hotel room and attract more business? It won't.” The tax will go into effect on January 1 and stay in place for three years. It would not apply to long-term residents of hotels. On Tuesday, there will be a public hearing about the law at the Albany County Office building from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

On December 28, the Autism Society Greater Hudson Region will celebrate 30 years with a special black-tie gala. The event is aimed to raise awareness and funds to continue providing resources and programs for the autism community.The organization continues to serve hundreds of families across the capital region each year. News Channel 13 spoke with […]

Santa’s Workshop isn’t the only place creating dolls. For almost 20 years, The Queen’s Treasures has been making dolls that have become an international hit.News Channel 13 was in Ticonderoga, where founder Joann Cartiglia said she has been creating dolls and other toys for almost twenty years. They are also among 37,000 small businesses that […]

Holiday travel kicks off with millions expected to hit the road The holiday travel season is about to kick off this weekend, with AAA expecting millions to be on the roads. While 107 million travelers are expected to drive, air travelers will set a new record with over 7 million passengers this season. Travel Agent Jenn Berry-Youngs, President and Owner of JBY Travel , said this time is not only the busiest time of year…it's also the most expensive. 0 seconds of 33 seconds Volume 0% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts Play/Pause SPACE Increase Volume ↑ Decrease Volume ↓ Seek Forward → Seek Backward ← Captions On/Off c Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f Mute/Unmute m Decrease Caption Size Increase Caption Size + or = Seek % Berry-Young said it's all about being prepared and packing your patience, whether you plan on traveling via car, train, or plane. “So make sure to check your travel documents . You want to make sure that your travel documents and your airline tickets match,” she said. “When you get to that airport, if they do not match, then they are not going to let you get on that plane. So check them now if you're traveling this weekend, call the airline, and check their website. Regarding rental cars, travel experts say it's almost always cheaper to book at the last minute versus in advance. But last-minute bus, train, or plane tickets will still be more expensive at the last minute. Patience will also be required at places like the airport, and experts also say it's important to remember that all airport employees are trying their best to do their jobs. Another thing many holiday travelers forget about is how they plan on bringing gifts back home from holiday visits. For larger items, you can always request to have things mailed to your home. But Berry-Young said there are still many instances where a traveler may quickly run out of space and even need to buy more luggage to accommodate. “Whether you are going there or coming back or bringing back food… If you are traveling internationally, you can't do that, so pay attention to those rules,” she said. “If you are getting a weapon or anything like that, make sure that you have that secured the way it should be in your checked bag. You want to make sure that you don't have any batteries that are supposed to be in your checked bag and they are in your carry-on. So there are lots of things to consider when you are packing. When you're coming home and when you are going there.” Travel experts also say that travel is expected to boom in 2025. So, travel plans for the February or April break should have already been booked.

Royale Flower hosts Weed Wonderland Party Royale Flower Dispensary will host its weed wonderland event to spark the holiday season. The owner and founder, Christine Richardson, says this helps educate those who want to learn more about the benefits of cannabis. She also says it's a way to thank the community for all their support by celebrating holiday festivities. Siena women's basketball defeats Niagara 65-57 The day's major news events, business reports, local sports updates, weather information and tomorrow's forecast are presented by the NewsChannel 13 Team. More Videos 0 seconds of 33 seconds Volume 0% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts Play/Pause SPACE Increase Volume ↑ Decrease Volume ↓ Seek Forward → Seek Backward ← Captions On/Off c Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f Mute/Unmute m Decrease Caption Size Increase Caption Size + or = Seek % Next Up Saratoga boys' basketball edges Albany High 56-54 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/JACIrQhD Live Event Highlights: ● Complimentary Food: catered by BigNCheesy. ● Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition: The tackiest holiday sweater will win prizes. ● Raffles ● Rolling Table: (limit 2 per customer) ● And much more! Event Details: ● Date: December 20th, 2024 ● Time: 2 PM – 8 PM ● Location: 332 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204

Pittsfield City Council votes for an independent investigation at PHS On Monday night, the Pittsfield City Council met to discuss the growing issues inside Pittsfield High School. The city passed a petition to open an investigation to know the facts and find a solution. Since this school investigation started, parents and community members have expressed anger and outrage while calling for accountability and transparency. “My question is, who is responsible? Who is in charge? And, when the investigation is concluded, will there be full transparency in telling the citizens, the parents…if the adults can take responsibility to protect their children,” one parent said during the meeting. On Monday, 11 city council members voted to support the school committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at the high school “We're hurting,” Rhonda Serre, Ward 8 City Councilor, said. “I think it's important for the City Council to publicly state that we stand alongside the other elected officials in this city. And we're all going to face this problem head-on.” Right now, there are at least three school administrators placed on leave, including Wiggins, who is facing drug charges for allegedly running a cocaine distribution ring “The Eagle asked if there was a culture problem at Pittsfield High School. The answer is a resounding yes,” one resident said during the meeting. “A culture was allowed to flourish with improperly licensed administrators, allegedly trafficking cocaine, allegedly sending sexually explicit pictures.” According to the Berkshire Eagle , A student has sued former English teacher Robert Barsanti for sexual harassment. The lawsuit claims Barsanti would make sexual comments towards her and other students on multiple occasions and, at one point, asked the student to go into a janitor's closet with him. Right now, the council is not taking any action beyond the scope of the agenda. However, the council says the scope of the investigation will be determined by the school committee, the elected body that oversees the city's public schools.