SCHODACK--Local officials will meet with representatives of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Thursday, November 20 in the county executive's office in Troy to discuss options on how to reopen the Schodack Island State Park.

HUDSON--Local school officials are concerned about Governor David Paterson's proposal to slash $2 billion from the state budget, with $585 million of the reduction coming from cuts to state aid for schools in the current school year.

HUDSON--Copake Valley Farm owner Salvatore Cascino, a Bronx waste hauler, said under oath that he took actions that violated a temporary restraining order issued by the state Supreme Court. But he said he did not do it on purpose.

RENSSELAER--Crews are installing natural gas pipelines along Route 9J (River Road) in the Village of Castleton to supply a new 635-megawatt power plant currently under construction in the city.

GREENPORT--The Town Board adopted a $4.7 million 2009 budget Thursday, November 13, that carries an overall tax levy decrease of 6.9% in the general and highway funds and water and sewer districts.

RENSSELAER-The news quickly reached the student body. "Oh my god, did you hear about what Aimee wants to do?" exclaimed Catherine Downey, a junior. "She wants to make a ski club. I'm doing it. Are you going to?"

YARDLEY, PA--Journal Register Company (the "Company") (PINKSHEETS: JRCO) noted that Editor & Publisher magazine's online edition erroneously reported that The New Haven Register and The Macomb Daily were part of the planned sale of publications by the Company.

HILLSDALE-The state Education Department has finally released the overdue 2006-07 school report cards, which document the performance of each school in every school district in the state outside New York City.

Chatham Main Street reopens

The Independent is published every Tuesday and Friday and delivered to the stores listed below in southern Rensselaer County.