Governor nominates Siena grad as new health commisioner

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday the nomination of Dr. James V. McDonald to serve as commissioner of the state Department of Health. McDonald has served as New York's acting commissioner of health since Jan. 1. McDonald is a Cohoes native and received his bachelor's degree from Siena College."In the midst of unprecedented public health crises, the New York State Department of Health has done extraordinary work keeping New Yorkers safe and healthy," Gov. Hochul said. "Dr. James V. McDonald is a talented public health leader with the skills and experience necessary to lead our Department of Health,"  "I am deeply grateful…
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Fonda-Fultonville to drop ‘Braves’ nickname; Move comes after state panel rejects plan to keep, district says

Fonda-Fultonville to drop ‘Braves’ nickname; Move comes after state panel rejects plan to keep, district says

FONDA — The Fonda-Fultonville Central School District will drop its “Braves” nickname after plans to preserve the moniker were rejected by a special panel assembled by the state’s Education Department in the wake of a mandate requiring all school districts to stop using Indigenous names, logos and mascots.   In a message posted to its website Thursday, the district announced the state’s Indigenous Mascot Advisory Panel declined its plans submitted earlier this month to retain the Braves’ name that would have seen the district undergo a “rebranding process” aimed at separating the name from its Indigenous roots. The district adopted the name…
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Gloversville residents face drug charges after town of Amsterdam traffic stop, Montgomery Co. Sheriff says

Gloversville residents face drug charges after town of Amsterdam traffic stop, Montgomery Co. Sheriff says

TOWN OF AMSTERDAM - Two Gloversville residence are facing drug charges after a Wednesday traffic stop in the town of Amsterdam, Montgomery County Sheriff's officials said Thursday. Brittany S. Esposito, 33, and James A. Dean, 46, both of Gloversville, were arrested and charged with one count each of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, along with misdemeanor seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Deputies made the stop just after 6 p.m. Wednesday on Route 30 in the town, officials said. The vehicle had been traveling with an inadequate exhaust and illegal window tint, officials said. The investigation,…
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