TOP LOCAL News
By DEBORAH E. LANS
July 1, 2025
GREENPORT--Can you call yourself a true Columbia County resident if you haven’t visited the Olana State Historic Site? And, now, what if you haven’t visited the recently-opened Frederic Church Center for Art and Landscape – the stunning new Visitor Center tucked into a hillside along Olana’s entry ...
NEW LEBANON–The seat that has been open for two months on the New Lebanon Town Board has been filled with the appointment of Scout Metzler to that position. Mr. Metzler was chosen after the board interviewed three candidates out of all the applications they received.He fills the seat formerly ...
HUDSON—The Hudson Development Corporation (HDC) has announced the appointment of a new executive director, marking the beginning of a reenergized chapter for the organization. Filling this role supports HDC’s renewed push for business-focused initiatives that reflect Hudson’s needs and long-term ...
ALBANY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) last week announced several proposed regulation changes to streamline use and reporting of hunting tags and provide new deer hunting opportunities. Hunting is important in New York state for wildlife population management ...
COPAKE–The Roeliff Jansen Community Library invites families and readers of all ages to kick off the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge with a burst of creativity, color, and fun. On Tuesday, July 1 from 1 to 2 p.m., the library will host a lively performance by the acclaimed storytelling duo the ...
HUDSON--The volunteer-run nonprofit Hudson Children’s Book Festival, Inc. (HCBF) will return to Columbia-Greene Community College for its 15th festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026. By every measure, the event was a great success in its first year at the C-GCC and first year as a registered ...
CHATHAM—On Saturday, July 12, the Village of Chatham welcomes back CABA’s Summerfest, a fun summer festival for all ages centered on and around Main Street. This year’s festival begins at 10 a.m., one hour earlier than in years past, and runs until 4 p.m. This year’s line-up boasts live music, an ...
HUDSON—Primary elections, held on Tuesday, June 24, will mean some changes in the Democratic parties’ candidates for November’s general election in the city. Incumbent Mayor Kamal Johnson lost the nomination to challenger Joseph Ferris. The 2025 primary election was for Democratic voters who are ...
COPAKE—Copake residents are urged to attend the first community workshop, Copake Comprehensive Plan Vision Workshop, Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Road, June 28, 10 a.m. to noon.Held by the Town of Copake and its Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, attendees can learn about the Smart Growth ...
HUDSON--The Columbia County Board of Supervisors approved requests for specific uses of opioid settlement money, revamped the Solid Waste division, and endorsed the establishment of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway, at its meeting June 11.From lawsuits against addictive ...
Calendar of EventsTo have an event listed here, send the information (including date, time, street address and cost if any) via email to news@columbiapaper.com at least two weeks before the event.Because of the high volume of workshop listing requests, we can list only workshops that are free, ...
CATSKILL–CREATE Council On The Arts has announced the third annual launch of the Creative Catalyst Grant program for emerging artists prioritizing those with limited income in Columbia County. The initiative, sponsored by the Columbia County government, will award nine individual artists chosen by ...
NEW LEBANON– Capital Region Classical presents Zoltán Fejérvári, piano on Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. at The Darrow School, 110 Darrow Road.The program will include Dvořák’s “8 Humoresques, Op. 101,” Janáček’s “On an Overgrown Path, Book II,” Schumann’s “Kinderszenen, Op. 15,” and Brahms’s ...
HUDSON--The Columbia County Honor a Veteran Committee will be honoring Seaman Henry Wilton Hassan, Jr. on Monday, June 30 at 401 State Street in the Supervisors Chambers starting at 9 a.m. The public is invited. Mr. Hassan was born on January 29, 1931 in Pittsfield, MA. Growing up in Columbia ...
CLERMONT—Experience Independence Day at Clermont State Historic Site, 1 Clermont Avenue, mansion lawn, Friday, July 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $15 per vehicle—cash only. What was life like for the people of Clermont at the dawn of the Revolutionary War? See reenactors portray the daily life ...
KINDERHOOK—State Police Livingston Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) announced the arrest of Louis Dinino, 28, of Esperance, Schoharie County, on charges of first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. The arrest follows an ...
COPAKE—The Clausson Raught Copake Community Rescue Squad announced that the National EMS Memorial Service Moving Honors Procession will stop at the rescue squad location, 283 Mountain View Road, Sunday, June 29 at 12:30 p.m. Arrive at the rescue squad building by 11:30 a.m. for direction and ...
GHENT—Teen and adult volunteers are always needed at the Ghent Food Pantry. To volunteer stop by the Pantry during operating hours. Volunteers will show you around and give you the information to help you get you started. Many hands make light work and you can help make life a little brighter for ...
HUDSON—Convicted rapist Favel De Leon Llamas, 28, was sentenced June 18 by County Judge Brian Herman to 10 years in prison and 10 years’ post-release supervision under an agreement struck between the state and defense. Mr. De Leon Llamas pleaded guilty April 2 to all four charges filed by the state ...
CHATHAM--Miles Wheat, principal, and Justin Forrest, assistant principal of Chatham High School, have released the names of the honor students for the graduating class of 2025. The Honor Students were announced at the Arbor Day Banquet, which is annually held in honor of the Senior Class. These ...
CORLAND--New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball congratulated the over 200 students that participated in the 2025 New York State Envirothon. Students from across the state traveled to SUNY Cortland May 28-29 to participate in the two-day hands-on environmental competition focused ...
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One driver was hurt when his car collided with a dumptruck in the area of State Route 203 and County Route 28 in Kinderhook, June 18 at 11:30 a.m. The Niverville Fire Department, Valatie Rescue Squad and State Police were called to the scene. According to State Police Troop K Public Information ...
CHATHAM—The Mac-Haydn Theatre, 1925 Route 203, continues its 2025 season with one of Broadway’s most iconic and beloved musicals “Guys and Dolls” running through July 6.A masterful blend of romance, comedy, and show-stopping music, “Guys and Dolls” brings the glitz of 1950s New York to the ...
CASTLETON—The Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) has announced that Gladys I. Cruz, district superintendent of Questar III BOCES, has been selected to participate in the 2025–2026 AESA Leadership Academy — a yearlong professional learning program designed for top executive leaders ...
GREENPORT—Sheriff Donald J. Krapf announced the formation of the new Columbia County Sheriff’s Bicycle Education Enforcement Unit, a dual-purpose initiative designed to enhance public safety and foster positive youth engagement throughout the county.This unit brings specially-trained deputies to ...
KINDERHOOK–Ichabod Crane Central School District has named Emma Holmberg as valedictorian and Rose Holliday as salutatorian of the class of 2025.For Emma, who has been a rider since kindergarten, this honor is the culmination of years of dedication. “I've worked really hard and it finally paid off ...
SUMMER AND good weather meant lots of work and hectic times on our 1950s farms. Farmers always have an eye on the weather, which was instilled in us at a young age. When work was done, and we had playtime, we often took a rest and lay on our backs in the grass and looked up at the sky. Up there is ...
NEW LEBANON--The New Lebanon Central School District has announced their valedictorian and salutatorian for this year’s graduating class.Samantha Pierce has been named valedictorian. According to the school’s announcement, Samantha has earned this honor through academic excellence, perseverance, ...