Albany Times Union (Albany, NY) back issues from July 2008:
Another parking lot is last thing Albany needs.(Main)(Letter to the editor)
Jul 01, 2008 ... While no one disputes the rich history and contributions of the Fort Orange Club in Albany, the thinking on its ill-conceived plan for growth is backward, with the idea that the destruction of buildings to create parking space is a good thing. The very last thing Albany needs is ...
Airlines should pass cost of fuel on to passengers.(Main)(Letter to the editor)
Jul 01, 2008 ... I can't believe the shortsightedness of airline industry management and the resulting Draconian measures being used in the face of high fuel costs. Now American Eagle has announced it will end service. Other airlines are folding, charging to carry luggage, implementing wholesale ...
Legislature bends rules on gambling and mocks the state constitution.(Main)(Letter to the editor)
Jul 01, 2008 ... New York state's constitutional prohibition of gambling was dealt a serious blow in yet another piece of legislation enacted during the waning days of this past legislative session. The New York Constitution prohibits gambling but allows an exception for a lottery provided (1) it is ...
Voter reforms should be included on ballots.(Main)(Letter to the editor)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Earlier this year, the state Commission on Efficiency on Local Government recommended that local governments consolidate, share services and look for ways to reduce property taxes. Here's a suggestion that might enhance the chances of getting results quickly: The ...
Joni Mitchell should visit the Fort Orange Club.(Main)(Letter to the editor)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Albert Paolucci's comments (letter, May 14) regarding the proposed Fort Orange Club's parking lot expansion suggests we are not paving paradise but can actually create one by putting up ... a parking lot. That is as long as you like looking at the paradise through the wrought-iron fence of ...
Diplomacy thwarts U.S. superhawks.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: TRUDY RUBIN Dick Cheney was angry. He was answering questions at a meeting of foreign policy experts in Washington last week. Then he got a query about the U.S. decision to de-list North Korea from the terrorism blacklist. "It was a fascinating, ...
Self-defense target of debate.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: BRIAN DOHERTY The Supreme Court's decision in the District of Columbia vs. Heller case settles a long, heated debate, finding the Second Amendment protects an individual right to own weapons for self-defense - not merely a right related to membership in a "well-regulated ...
What's open, what's closed.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Friday is Independence Day. The following is a partial list of holiday schedule changes. BANKS: All banks will be closed Friday. BUSES: For information, call CDTA at 482-8822 or log on to http://www.cdta.org. GARBAGE: Trash will be picked up ...
Stiffing Colonie.(Main)(Editorial)
Jul 01, 2008 ... I t's never good to judge the Legislature's productivity simply by counting the number of bills passed in any given session. That tells only half the story. The other half is what bills didn't pass this year. By that measure, the session that ended last week wasn't productive on major ...
Music students answer teacher's challenge.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: JENNIFER PATTERSON - Staff Writer BETHLEHEM - When violinist and string instructor Beth Moll promised to donate to Heifer International Line is overdrawn what her students "earned" during a five-month practice incentive program, she had no idea how much it would be. ...
Albany under siege.(Main)(Editorial)
Jul 01, 2008 ... A nother weekend, and two more shootings. What does Albany do now? A month or so ago, the city's latest incident of gun violence might not have attracted much attention. Tyrone Tabanna and Tobias Rowlett are older, 22 and 25, than some of the more recent victims, for one thing ....
Obama must learn to accept Muslim support.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: DERRICK Z. JACKSON I wish Barack Obama were a Muslim. Better that than having supercilious staffers whisk women in Islamic head scarves out of photo-ops. Better that than telling Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the nation's first Muslim congressman, not to ...
Independence celebrations calendar.(Capital Region)(Calendar)
Jul 01, 2008 ... WEDNESDAY Fourth of July celebration, Halfmoon Town Pavilion, 191 Harris Road, Halfmoon When: 6:30-10 p.m. Contact: http://www.townofhalf moon.org/ Notes: The band Sirsy performs before the fireworks display. THURSDAY Independence Day ...
Pets bring joy to home.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... GUILDERLAND - Noah's Kingdom Humane Society is an all-volunteer shelter for cats. The shelter houses its rescued animals at the adoption center at the Crossgates Commons Pet-Smart, Washington Avenue Extension, Guilderland, or in the homes of volunteers. Adoption ...
Pets bring joy to household.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... ALBANY - AnimaLovers, the Animal Welfare League of the Greater Capital District Inc., always has animals for adoption. The cat adoption center is located at the PetSmart in Latham Farms and is staffed with trained AnimaLovers volunteers. Adoption clinics are held from 6 to 8 ...
Albany County calendar.(Capital Region)(Calendar)
Jul 01, 2008 ... TODAY BINGO Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Ave. Extension, Albany When: 7:30 p.m. Contact: 456-3995 or http://www. albanypcc.com St. Michael's Church, 36 Page Ave., Cohoes When: 7 p.m. Contact: 237-5151 CLASSES & WORKSHOPS ...
Looking back.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... On this date in ... 1908: The Albany News Co. claimed it had "The largest and best assortment of fireworks and novelties for the 4th" in the city of Albany. It was said to be of excellent quality and ranged in price from 25 cents to $20. In addition, firecrackers, torpedoes, ...
CORRECTION.(Main)(Correction notice)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Monday's Capitol Confidential column incorrectly identified Gene DeSantis as a member of the state's Medical Malpractice Liability Advisory Task Force. DeSantis is a lobbyist for the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, but did not represent the ...
Water bill deal goes to council; Rensselaer officials will consider plan to pay off $2.1M debt to Troy.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: KENNETH C. CROWE II - Staff Writer RENSSELAER - The Common Council will consider approving a deal Wednesday night that would pay off the outstanding $2.1 million water debt owed the city of Troy. Rensselaer may borrow money short-term to get rid of the entire ...
BEST OF; OUR BLOGS.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... In case I never mentioned it before, my husband likes toys. He is particularly attracted to colorful building toys, say, blocks and magnetic stick-and-ball sets. After he is done playing with them - or when ...
Boaters likely to log fewer miles; Drop in traffic on state canals blamed on high cost of filling gas tanks.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: CATHY WOODRUFF - Staff Writer WATERFORD - Less gasoline, more elbow grease. Less hot rodding, more chilling. Goodbye New York City, hello Castleton. High gas prices are putting a new twist on the fun for many boaters this summer, but it's too soon ...
ALBANY COUNTY EDITION.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Puppy class Guiding Eyes for the Blind presents a pre-placement puppy class for volunteer trainers at 6 p.m. Thursday at Lisha Kill Reformed Church, 2131 Central Ave., Albany. All training, support and veterinary expenses will be provided for free. 372-7300. July ...
Access to activities limited; Anti-violence advocates say summer programs fail to serve poor children.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: TIM O'BRIEN - Staff Writer ALBANY - Young people in the city's poorest neighborhoods are cheated out of access to summer programs that would get them away from streets plagued by violence, a group of church, civic and governmental leaders said Monday. They ...
Teachers' reassignment controversial; Supporters plan to protest district's forced transfer of two in Guilderland.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: SCOTT WALDMAN - Staff Writer GUILDERLAND - Two popular high school social studies teachers have been reassigned to the middle school as punishment for fostering a "locker room" and "boys club" atmosphere, records show. Matt Nelligan and Anne Marie McManus ...
Baseball league fields offers of assistance; Colonie Babe Ruth finds it has fans willing to pitch in after vandalism.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST - Staff Writer COLONIE - While it may take $1.3 billion, legions of workers and an ocean of cement to build the new Yankee Stadium, it took considerably less to restore Cook Park's Kuhn and Rogowicz fields. A healthy sense of outrage ...
Web Top 5.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Most-viewed stories on timesunion.com for Monday: 1 Missing children found in Troy 2 Anti-violence march, then another shooting 3 Man dressed ...
Danger in hospital flights; Medical aircraft crashes reach "disturbing" level.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: AMANDA LEE MYERS and CHRIS KAHN - Associated Press FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Accidents involved medical aircraft are at a "disturbing" level, a federal safety official said Monday as he arrived at the scene where two helicopters collided, killing six. "We're very ...
Gas tanks swallow luxuries; 90% of people in poll see tighter budgets ahead.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: ALAN FRAM - Associated Press WASHINGTON - Four-dollar gasoline has stolen a beach vacation from Julie Jacobs' family, "little, small luxuries" like exotic bath washes from Angela Crawford and dinners out from folks all over the country. Like a plague that ...
Prince reports progress toward green-living goal.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Prince Charles ' income grew last year, while his carbon footprint shrank. The eco-friendly prince even has an Aston Martin that runs on wine. An annual review of Charles' accounts released Monday said the prince made more than 16 million pounds ($32 million) from ...
Deal is reached on dividing Pavarotti's estate.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... A lawyer for Luciano Pavarotti 's widow says his family has come to a friendly agreement on how to divide his estate. Pavarotti had drafted two wills near the end of his yearlong battle with cancer. One divided his assets by Italian law, giving half to his second wife, Nicoletta ...
Pop star's wish list includes a paparazzi-free place.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Court records show Britney Spears is house-hunting - preferably for something greener, quieter and with a bigger backyard. Documents released Monday in Los Angeles show that Spears seeks a house with a larger yard that's closer to parks and recreation areas for her children, ...
Arson suspected at home where Madonna was raised.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... A weekend fire that destroyed a childhood home of Madonna has been deemed suspicious by arson investigators in Michigan. The Oakland County Sheriff's Arson Unit and the Rochester Hills Fire Department are investigating the Friday night blaze. A passer-by had noticed ...
WHAT YOU MISSED.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand does some semantic gymnastics as a Republican-aligned group targets her for a new ad ... Gov. David Paterson can't fire the state's public integrity chief, technically speaking ... A Senate candidate takes a shot at her potential ...
Obama defends his patriotism; Democrat uses themes from Bush to blunt attacks on his loyalty.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: Associated Press Trying to close the book on the debate over his patriotism, Democrat Barack Obama borrowed Monday from the man his party most loves to hate - none other than President Bush. It might be odd for Democrat Obama to crib ideas as well as language ...
Wildfires stubborn foes; Firefighters struggle to contain more than 1,400 blazes in California.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: SCOTT LINDLAW - Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO - Two of Northern California's more than 1,400 wildfires choked parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills, darkening parts of a 100-mile stretch between Sacramento and Reno with clouds of black smoke. The fires in the ...
What's in a name? A scientific controversy.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Jeff Goodhartz is single and has no children. But he wanted to ensure the family name would live on after he's gone. So he paid $5,000 to have a newfound sea worm given the Goodhartz name, "goodhartzorum." "This ...
Mike Tyson denies link to alleged murder plans.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... NEW YORK - Mike Tyson's taking another beating, but not in the ring or the tabloids. Instead, witnesses in an obscure racketeering case have linked the once-feared boxer to talk of two murder schemes in his old neighborhood. They claim he bankrolled one. In the other, Tyson was ...
9 hikers rescued by helicopter from gorge.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... OTTO - Nine young hikers were rescued by helicopter from a western New York gorge Monday morning after they were forced to spend the night on a rock ledge because of rising creek waters. State Police Sgt. Thomas Kelly said an Erie County sheriff's helicopter plucked the hikers, ...
Unwanted hair-cutting angers Sikh community.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... NEW YORK - The Sikh community is protesting an attack on a 12-year-old girl who had her long hair cut off by a fellow student. The June 9 incident at Public School 219 in Flushing is the third incident in two months targeting a Sikh student in Queens. The hair-cutting violates ...
Rare murder conviction for drunken-driving crash.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... MINEOLA - A Long Island man has been convicted of a rare murder charge after driving the wrong way down a parkway into a fiery head-on crash. Franklin McPherson of Deer Park faces 25 years in prison after being convicted Monday in Nassau County Court. ...
Government invites bids on Iraq oil fields.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: Associated Press BAGHDAD - Iraq opened international bidding Monday for eight enormous oil and gas fields, paving the way for investment in a nation with some of the world's largest petroleum reserves. If approved, contracts to update and manage those fields ...
New goals pushed for WTC; Owner says schedule, budget for redevelopment project are unrealistic.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: AMY WESTFELDT - Associated Press NEW YORK - The World Trade Center's owner proposed on Monday scrapping the schedule and budget for the prolonged rebuilding of the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying nearly every project is delayed and over budget and that ...
Medicare payments to doctors to be delayed.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... WASHINGTON - The Bush administration said Monday it will delay paying doctors for treating Medicare patients in early July to give Congress more time to block a scheduled 10.6 percent fee cut. The move by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services doesn't block the cut, ...
U.S. food aid begins arriving in North Korea.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... SEOUL, South Korea - Thousands of tons of food from the United States have started flowing into North Korea, the U.N. food agency said Monday, as aid groups warned that the impoverished nation faces food shortages not seen since 2001. A freighter carrying 37,000 tons of wheat ...
Bill signed in Missouri banning online bullying.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... O'FALLON, Mo. - Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt signed a bill Monday outlawing cyberbullying, just miles from where a 13-year-old girl committed suicide nearly two years ago after being harassed on the Internet. The bill updates state laws against harassment by removing the ...
Saudi Arabian charged in bombing of USS Cole.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... WASHINGTON - The Pentagon said Monday it is charging a Saudi Arabian with "organizing and directing" the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole - and will seek the death penalty. Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Hartmann, legal adviser to the U.S. military tribunal system, said charges are being ...
Hamas militants holding Israeli stick to demands.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hamas militants holding an Israeli soldier said Monday they would stick to their tough demands in negotiations over his release, emboldened by the high price Israel is paying in a planned prisoner swap with Hezbollah. The declaration could complicate ...
Pataki off list of GOP delegates; John McCain had wanted former governor to attend national convention.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: VALERIE BAUMAN - Associated Press ALBANY - A spokesman for former Gov. George Pataki said Monday the Republican was bounced as a state delegate supporting John McCain at the GOP's national convention. The McCain and Pataki camps had reached an understanding ...
Malpractice insurance rate hike put on hold; Doctors had expected increase today; official says state now negotiating for changes in system.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: JAY JOCHNOWITZ - State editor ALBANY - New York state plans to take another shot at overhauling the medical malpractice system following news that a task force assigned to deal with the issue hasn't met in months. The decision, announced Monday by Insurance ...
7 plead guilty in drug ring cases; Accused admit charges in Schenectady court.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... SCHENECTADY - Seven more people pleaded guilty Monday in connection with a Schenectady-based drug ring that trafficked contraband from Long Island. State organized crime prosecutors charged 24 people in May in connection with the drug ring, including Lisa Kaczmarek, the wife of ...
School Report Card will be tardy; Education Department's annual report measuring performance will be later than ever this year.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: RICK KARLIN - Capitol bureau ALBANY - School budget votes came and went more than a month ago. Final exams and high school graduations finished in June. Good thing the state isn't graded on when its annual Report Card on public school performance is released, ...
Afghanistan war reality hits home; Soldier with local ties among 5 state Guard troops killed recently.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: DENNIS YUSKO - Staff Writer In an e-mail from Afghanistan, National Guard Spc. Mark C. Palmateer confided to his daughter, Stephanie, that he was about to embark on a dangerous convoy mission to Kabul. "He just kept telling her things were getting real bad ...
Torture alleged in lawsuits.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: Associated Press HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Three Iraqis and a Jordanian filed federal lawsuits Monday alleging they were tortured by U.S. defense contractors while detained at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. The lawsuits allege that those arrested and ...
CDC looks beyond tomatoes in probe; Pressure mounts to find cause of outbreak as number of ill grows.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: ELIZABETH WEISE - USA Today Federal investigators retraced their steps Monday as suspicions mount that fresh unprocessed tomatoes aren't necessarily causing the salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds across the United States. Three weeks after the Food and Drug ...
Earthly troubles shadow 'goddess' Self-styled "guru" Farrah Ashline's last Internet venture ended up in court.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: ROBERT GAVIN - Staff Writer ALBANY - On her Web site, she touts an apprenticeship at "Harvard Medical College." Operating as a "world renowned Tantra dakini and soul healer," she says followers of her newsletter include a Schenectady church leader. She's ...
OBAMA ISN'T THE POPULIST HE SEEMS.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: DAVID BROOKS Barack Obama sells the Democratic Party short. He talks about his fundraising success as if his donors were part of a spontaneous movement of small-money enthusiasts who cohered around himself. In fact, Democrats have spent years building their donor ...
A mayor who can't say no; Jennings bobbleheads get the nod from ValleyCats fans.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: JIMMY VIELKIND - Staff Writer TROY - Some at Monday night's Tri-City ValleyCats game didn't know the opposing team. They just came for the Jerry Jennings bobblehead. The true early birds arrived more than two hours before the first pitch was thrown at 7 p.m ....
Bon Jovi tunes up tribute to stadium.(Main)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Bon Jovi is playing at a free concert on July 12 in New York City's Central Park. It's billed as a prelude to the July 15 All-Star baseball game, which will highlight the final season at Yankee Stadium. The current Yankee Stadium is being replaced. Mayor ...
Horsepower will beat gas prices.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: MARV CERMAK Some Saratoga Springs' business types I know are jittery about mounting fuel costs stunting attendance during racing season, which starts in 22 days. Cecil Myrie, mentioned here on occasion, says not to worry. Myrie, aka Broadway Banjo Man, has ...
Innovative gym teacher honored; Maurice "Bud" Watson expands boundaries of physical education.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: LINDSEY HOLLENBAUGH - Special to the Times Union SCHENECTADY - Maurice "Bud" Watson is one gym teacher who likes to get his students out of the gym. Watson, who teaches at the Academy of Culture and Communication at Pleasant Valley, was named the 2008-09 ...
Pets bring joy to life.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: Staff reports SCOTIA - The Animal Protective Foundation always has animals for adoption. The shelter, located at 53 Maple Ave. in Scotia, is open from noon to 4:30 p.m. for adoptions and visiting Tuesdays through Saturdays. The shelter, run by paid staff and ...
Pets bring joy to a home.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... ALBANY - Whiskers Animal Benevolent League always has animals for adoption. The no-kill cat shelter, located in Albany, holds adoption clinics from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Clifton Park Pet- Smart, or at ...
Young pitcher aims to strike out cancer; Softball star, 9, plays on despite debilitating lymphoma treatments.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Byline: MIKE PIEKARSKI - Special to the Times Union CLIFTON PARK - Since she was a toddler, Samantha "Sammie" Sagnelli wanted to play softball. Born nine years after sister Angie, currently a star pitcher on the Syracuse University varsity, Sammie "grew up on the ...
County fair offers discounted tickets.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... GREENWICH - The Washington County Fair is selling weeklong passes for $27 through Aug. 1. This year's fair is Aug. 18 to 24. Single-day fair admission is $10, children under 14 are free. After Aug. 1, the season pass, good for all seven days, is $30. In addition, 20 ...
MEETINGS.(Capital Region)
Jul 01, 2008 ... BRUNSWICK TOWN BOARD June 12 Approved agreements for the Sugar Hill Apartments planned development district on two parcels along McChesney Avenue Extension, and accepted a conservation easement for the project. Approved the extension of Sewer ...