Students on the Simon's Rock campus gather at the library in preparation for the Bard Queer Leadership Project. Press photo courtesy of Bard College at Simon's Rock

News

Here are the Hill Country Observer’s news articles, listed from newest to oldest. The Hill Country Observer covers town events, local government, community stories and more — from public health to housing to education and freedom of mind in New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts.

  • Issue:

    Saving a shantytown?

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    In old fishing shacks, links to Hudson’s past and an unclear future State officials have concluded that a group of 17 fishing shacks along the Hudson River are historically significant, but city officials in Hudson, N.Y., have yet to decide whether to preserve any of the structures as part of a proposal for a new read more

    Saving a shantytown?
  • Issue:

    Proposal sparks debate over early voting in N.Y.

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    Vermont, Mass. show potential benefits, but some in region are skeptical Voters in Chatham, N.Y., cast ballots last month in a special election for state Assembly. A proposal by Gov. Cuomo to allow early voting in New York has set off a debate among area officials and legislators. Scott Langley photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing read more

    Proposal sparks debate over early voting in N.Y.
  • Issue:

    Big projects, few workers

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    Anita Daly, vice president of Blue Spruce Nursery in Ballston Lake, shows off photos of some of the company’s landscaping projects. Blue Spruce has come to rely on foreign laborers in recent years and is seeking such 12 workers, about half its work force, this year through the federal H-2B program. Joan K. Lentini photos read more

    Big projects, few workers
  • Issue:

    Solar siting law faces first test in Bennington

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    Developer challenges Vermont’s effort to give towns more sway A large solar-power installation along Route 30 in Sudbury, Vt., is the first in a series planned or proposed around the state by Allco Renewable Energy Ltd. The company has gone to court to challenge a new state law intended to give towns more voice in read more

    Solar siting law faces first test in Bennington
  • Issue:

    Out of the tent, into the theater

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    New building lets PS21 expand season, host larger audiences The new theater building at PS21 will allow the performing arts venue, which previously hosted summer performances in a tent, to offer programming year-round. Courtesy photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer CHATHAM, N.Y. After holding its events in a tent for 12 years, PS21 is about read more

    Out of the tent, into the theater
  • Issue:

    A new model of care

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    Region’s peer-respite homes offer alternative approach to mental health The weekly staff meeting at Alyssum, a peer-respite house in Rochester, Vt., is unlike any other gathering of its kind. The focus is on team building through an approach called “co-supervision.”Courtesy photo   By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer   For many people in the grip of a read more

    A new model of care
  • Issue:

    State, watchdogs urge more work on PCBs

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    Reports suggest high levels of contamination remain in Hudson River New studies show the upper Hudson River, seen from North River Road in Fort Edward, remains burdened by PCB pollution despite completion of a seven-year, $1.7 billion cleanup. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer FORT EDWARD, N.Y. A series of new federal read more

    State, watchdogs urge more work on PCBs
  • Issue:

    Spreading solar by the share

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    Community-sponsored energy project is first for Columbia County A new 214-kilowatt solar power installation in the town of Clermont, N.Y., was built using a “community solar” concept in which local people could buy a stake in the project in exchange for credits on their home utility bills. Courtesy photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer CLERMONT, read more

    Spreading solar by the share
  • Issue:

    In teaching, a chance to learn

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    Artist finds inspiration through roles at museum, college Jenny Hutchinson works on a project last year at her studio in the Shirt Factory building in Glens Falls. Hutchinson is education director at The Hyde Collection museum but sees her real work as her art. Courtesy photo   By TELLY HALKIASContributing writer GLENS FALLS, N.Y. By read more

    In teaching, a chance to learn
  • Issue:

    Cow power — N.Y. farms are slow to follow Vermont, Mass.

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    Manure-to-energy systems could aid farms, environment, but few in N.Y. opt in Three generations of the Wagner family — Peter, Louise and Keith Wagner — stand in front of the anaerobic biodigester at their dairy farm in Brunswick, N.Y. The device converts cow manure and other agricultural wastes into methane that can be burned for read more

    Cow power — N.Y. farms are slow to follow Vermont, Mass.