Effective December 16, 2022, Greater Glens Falls Transit (GGFT) will be suspending specific bus routes due to a shortage of bus drivers: the routes that will be affected are Route 4, and Route 11 & 12. These changes will affect weekday routes.
The Route 4 line currently leaves Glens Falls and travels to Hudson Falls and Fort Edward, along Quaker Road and Boulevard. This route leaves Ridge Street in Downtown Glens Falls at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, & 2:30 PM. This route is being suspended.
Route 11 & 12 will also be suspended. This bus route currently travels to Upper Glen Street from Ridge Street in Downtown Glens Falls, at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, & 3:30 PM.
Due to these routes being suspended, the GGFT has modified Route 19: at 9:30 & 10:30, that route will be rerouted to use Glen Street instead of Bay Street and Quaker Road. These routes will service Walmart on Upper Glen Street, and the Montcalm Apartments.
The service changes will be in effect until further notice, and GGFT has alerted the other municipalities that will be affected by these changes.
The GGFT began operation in 1984 and is estimated to transport over 320,000 riders annually. Routes are operated Monday through Friday, from 6:30 AM to 9:45 PM, & Saturdays 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Today, Gary discusses a shortage of bus drivers in Glens Falls, resulting in some alterations to the city’s bus routes. Also, SUNY Adirondack announces four new members to its Board of Trustees, Richard Schermerhorn plans a new housing development in Lake George, and New York State Police prepare to crack down on impaired driving through the holiday season.
00:02 – Intro 00:34 – Ad Break 1 01:42 – Story 1: New Members of SUNY ADK Board of Trustees 03:27 – Story 2: Schermerhorn Plans New Housing Development 04:24 – Ad Break 2 04:48 – Story 3: Glens Falls Bus Driver Shortage 06:00 – Story 4: NY State Police Impaired Driving Enforcement 07:28 – Outro
Hudson Headwaters on Broad Street completed their extensive renovations in November of 2022. The Broad Street facility offers urgent care services seven days a week, with no appointment needed. This facility focuses on health concerns that arise suddenly, but are not life threatening. There are laboratory services and x-ray services on-site. Patti Hammond – executive vice president and COO – said via the Hudson Headwaters Website: “These enhancements further our mission to provide accessible, high quality health care for everyone, regardless of income or insurance, while also contributing to Glens Falls’ wider revitalization efforts.”
These renovations included an expanded waiting room with updated lighting and new artwork. The urgent care exam rooms have also been updated, and the triage area has been redesigned so that nursing staff can more efficiently assess what the patients need.
Externally, the center has been updated with new windows. signage, lighting, paint, and landscaping. The external stairs and wheelchair ramp were rebuilt, a new roof was put on the facility, and the parking lot was remodeled.
This work took about a year to complete, and a $1.5-million grant secured by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik helped to offset the cost of the construction, expansion and renovation. Located at 100 Broad Street, this high traffic location is next to a Stewart’s Shop, which was under construction during the same period of time. For more information, visit hhhn.org
The Board of Education of the City of Glens Falls met on Monday December 12, at 7:00 PM. The Board represents the interests of five schools – including three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
Items on the agenda for the meeting included:
Approve discarding obsolete/damaged library books from Kensington Road Elementary School, Big Cross Elementary School, Jackson Heights Elementary School and The Glens Falls Middle School.
Approve the indoor track meet at Springfield College in Massachusetts on January 8, 2023. Approve the memorandum of Agreement with CSEA. Approve disposing of GE washer & dryer from the Middle School.
Accept the Bid Report for Phase 1 of the Construction Project, and award contracts to the following bidders:
Gallo Construction corp.- General Construction (Total Contracted Amount: $1,177,000.00)
RF Gordon Mechanical, LLC-Mechanical/ Plumbing Construction (Total Contracted Amount: $148,650.00)
Harold R. Clune, Inc.-Electrical Construction (Total Contracted Amount: $99,800.00)
The role of this board is to develop the policies through which the Superintendent administers the educational programs, students and staff. It is the philosophy of the board that the schools are the responsibility of the entire community, so The Board of Education would like community members to take an active role in the development of the schools.
The board is made up of nine members, who are elected by qualified voters in the district during the annual school budget vote in May, and serve for 5-year terms without pay.
Any candidate that is interested in running for the Board of Education can pick up a nomination petition at the District Office in mid-March: the Petition requires 100 valid signatures of district residents in order to have their name placed on the ballot. The petitions must be returned to the Board Clerk in mid-April.
Current Board of Education Members for 2022-2023:
Timothy Graham, President
Matthew Levin, Vice President
Jeremy Deason
Kelly Culliton
Cate Fitzgerald
Laura Kennedy
Karin Maurer
Randy Rath
Jason Rivers
The Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month, at 7:00 PM at the District Office. If school is not in session, the meeting dates are moved to the week prior to or the week after. The Board’s Curriculum Committee generally meets in conjunction with the board meetings; for more information, please visit gfsd.org
Today, Gary discusses the Kiwanis Club “Spirits in the Trees” opening ceremony. Also, LEAP unveils their first community giving box, the Toys for Tots convoy makes a stop in Fort Edward, and Anthony Nunziata scheduled to perform a special Christmas show this weekend.
00:02 – Intro 00:32 – Ad Break 1 01:32 – Story 1: LEAP Community Giving Box 02:21 – Story 2: Toys for Tots in Fort Edward 04:41 – Ad Break 2 05:04 – Story 3: “Spirits in the Trees” 07:03 – Story 4: “Anthony Nunziata: The Italian Broadway Christmas Show” 08:57 – Outro
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce presented a festive ribbon cutting to kick off the long awaited grand opening of the Park & Elm Restaurant on Friday, sponsored by M&M digital printing. A sizable crowd of community members attended the ribbon cutting to show their support for the newest endeavor by Glens Falls’ favorite mother and son entrepreneurs, Elizabeth & Ben Miller.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, people wandered the isles of the already popular Park & Elm Market & Deli. Conversations about already beloved “must-try” menu items filled the space. Both Ben & Elizabeth Miller kindly greeted guests, and cheers rang out as the ribbon fell.
Elizabeth & Ben Miller
Ben Miller then welcomed everyone in attendance to enjoy a drink at the bar prior to the first seating. Amongst the attendees was Andrea Harwood, the Director of Development and Site Acquisition for Habitat for Humanity: she said, “Elizabeth and Ben Miller are pillars of this community. We are fortunate to have innovators like them in our downtown corner.”
The bar area was large enough to comfortably accommodate the crowd. Everyone clearly enjoyed the architectural features of the industrial chic decor – decorative wooden tables set with simple yet elegant place settings accented the long teal banquet, which lined the wall that separated the bar from the dining room. The bar area was lined with high top tables, and the barstools were cushioned and had decorative backs. The decor was pulled together with exposed brick walls and a tin ceiling.
The Park & Elm menu will be executed by Executive Chef Matthew J. Delos; Delos and his staff moved across the street from Doc’s Restaurant, and will continue to feature the locally-sourced ingredients that his creative dishes are known for.
Park & Elm will be open Wednesday through Saturday, from 5:00 PM until close; the attached Market & Deli will operate Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For more information, please visit https://www.parkandelm.com/
Teddy Bears on the ice after Queensbury Scored Photo provided
Queensbury 5, Saratoga 4; the Queensbury Spartans faced off against the Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks at the Glens Falls Recreation Center on Friday night. This event featured the Annual Teddy Bear Toss – for the traditional Christmas season, promotion fans are encouraged to throw stuffed bears onto the ice!
Saratoga was the first to score with 2:50 remaining in the first period. Their goal came off the stick of Payton Borak, with no credited assist.
The second period was dominated by the Queensbury Spartans. To start the period off, Mack Ryan scored with 14:06 remaining; the assist was credited to Quinn Theis and Julien Shafer. This goal was followed by two more Queensbury goals – the first with 6:07 remaining was scored by Tyler Dufour, with the assists credited to Tanner Fearman and Oli Coughlan. Then, less than 2 minutes later, Tanner Fearman scored, assisted by Michael Deutsh and Tyler Dufour. Saratoga found the net once more with 2:46 remaining in the 2nd period; this goal was unassisted, and scored by Charley Oak.
Queensbury added to their lead on a 3rd period powerplay when Tyler Dufour connected with a pass from Oli Coughlan and Tanner Fearman, who were both credited with the assist. Queensbury was not done yet! Tanner Fearman put the “biscuit in the basket” unassisted for Queensbury’s final goal of the game. Saratoga staged a comeback with 2:31 remaining as Jake Bader scored a power play goal with the pass from Charlie Oke… But, as time ran out, Queensbury took the win over Saratoga: 5-4.
The goalie from Saratoga was Xander Clarke, who had 26 saves; Queensbury Goalie Jacob Fanciullo had 24 saves.
Queensbury will be on the ice against Shen on Wednesday, December 14th, at the Glens Falls Rec Center. Puck drops at 7:30 PM!
Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls hosted the opening of “Spirits In the Trees” on Sunday night at Crandall Park. The lighting of the trees took place at just after 5:00 PM; of the 100 trees on display, 94 of them were decorated. Patricia Van Buren, coordinator of the event, was on hand in the late morning on Sunday to help set up.
She was very pleased with the number of trees that were decorated: “Yesterday, it was so nice to see people talking and laughing as they decorated the trees. They were intermingling and introducing themselves to one another. It was wonderful to see the community together” she said, as we wandered from tree to tree, admiring each one. Van Buren decorated her own tree: “Celebrating People and The Cats they Love…and a few dogs.”
Patricia Van Buren and her tree
Just after 4:30, cars streamed into Crandall Park as the daylight faded into a gray snowy evening. People wandered around the trees, admiring each one and greeting neighbors and friends. There were heaters near the stage, and the boy scouts were raising money by offering hot chocolate for a donation.
The event included remarks from Kiwanis Club President Doug Shaver, and Mayor Bill Collins; these remarks were followed by an invocation by Pastor Chris Jewell of Queensbury United Methodist Church. After these remarks, there was a reading of the themes for each of the trees, and the program for the event had a listing of the trees and the people involved in donating it.
Doug Shaver credited past president and current club secretary Patricia Van Buren with advocating for the event: Shaver said from the band stand, “Spirits in the Trees was the vision of one of our past presidents and current club secretary, Pat Van Buren. Pat felt that families and friends, working together to plan and design a tree theme should gather to decorate those trees in remembering a lost loved one, honoring an individual or group dear to them, or celebrating the importance of something in their lives, would be a wonderful event to share with our community.”
Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins
Mayor Collins gave the crowd a warm welcome and received cheers from the crowd. “This is an amazing thing that we’ve got here; and I hate to make predictions as Mayor, but I predict that after you see these lights lighting up, that you’ll all wish that I do that I got a tree. You know both my father and my sister passed away years ago right before Christmas, and it makes Christmas both more meaningful and a little more difficult every year. But as I walked out tonight looking at all of these trees I grew with regret that I didn’t take the time to do this. And I bet there’s a few others as you walk through tonight that would think the same thing. And I’ll bet you there will be double the number next year. Great ideas catch on and this is a great idea.”
The Abraham Wing Elementary School donated a tree, celebrating the Abraham Wing Community; second-grader Quentin Straight was on hand to show off the ornament that he had made in art class. When asked about the most exciting part of the event, Quentin said, “Seeing my artwork on the tree and seeing the tree light up.” Quentin was accompanied by his father Eric Straight, his mother Tori Phillips, and his aunt Johna Ferry.
Second Grader Quentin Straight & Family
After the trees were lit, there was seasonal music played by the Queensbury High School Madrigals. Trees will be lit every evening throughout the New Year.
Today, Gary discusses an upcoming vote on a renovation project at Fort Ann Central School District. Also, Park & Elm hosts a grand opening for their restaurant space, an update in the ongoing story of Cambridge Central School District’s mascot, and Warren County seeking input from residents in its revision of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
00:02 – Intro 00:34 – Ad Break 1 01:26 – Story 1: Park & Elm 03:11 – Story 2: Cambridge CSD Mascot Change 05:22 – Ad Break 2 05:44 – Story 3: Fort Ann School Project Vote 08:07 – Story 4: Warren County Hazard Mitigation Plan 09:34 – Outro
Heating bills are expected to increase this winter by 28% in nearly half of US homes. The cold days of winter are upon us… Energy and fuel costs are soaring as supply continues to tighten, but there are ways to save on your heating bill. One way is to seal up leaks. There can be air leaks in walls, windows, ceilings… Anywhere air can escape. Caulking and weather striping are helpful ways to seal up air leaks. Programming the thermostat can also be helpful; there can be as much as a 10% savings a year by dropping the thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. Shutting doors of unused rooms, wearing warmer clothing, cooking, and buying curtains and shades are also affective ways to lower your heating costs.
As costs rise, people naturally look for alternatives to heating. Ventless gas heaters are heaters that do not have a vent or chimney… These heaters are inexpensive and can be placed anywhere in a house or apartment; however, the indoor air quality can be compromised. Since the 1980s, all ventless warmers have been required to include an oxygen depletion sensor – this senses the oxygen in the room, and if the concentration of oxygen falls below a certain threshold, the heater is turned off. Ventless heaters are not meant for long-term use, or to be used to heat more than one room; they are designed to only be used when essential, and under parental supervision… And, because the heaters do not circulate air from the outside, it is essential to open a window when using them.
Ventless heaters also create combustion byproducts that are harmful to your health: these include Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Water Vapor.
Carbon Monoxide is hazardous, and can be lethal in high concentrations; in low concentrations, it can cause health issues. Nitrogen Dioxide can affect your immune system and make you more susceptible to respiratory disease. Water vapor can cause mold to grow, which can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. Ventless heaters do not have sensors for carbon monoxide or other harmful pollutants.
There are extensive safety warnings that accompany ventless gas heaters. These outline the dangers and potential hazards of the heaters.
There are other alternatives to help keep heating costs lower and your home safer – changing filters ensures that the systems are working as efficiently as possible. A ceiling fan set to clockwise can be utilized to help to push heat down in the room. Buying shades and curtains help keep the house warmer; about 30% of heat loss is through windows.
These are safe and easy ways to help keep your home a bit warmer this season. Although ventless heaters may seem like a great bargain, there are health and safety risks associated with them as well.
