Schenectady News

Eight people from four families are getting emergency aid from the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York after a fire Friday night.

For 17 months, suspended city police Officer John Lewis has remained on the city payroll while his criminal charges have been adjourned repeatedly in City Court.... Subscribers must LOG-IN to read this full story.

A DUBIOUS DISTINCTION FOR SCHENECTADY COUNTY, RANKED FIRST AMONG UPSTATE COUNTIES FOR REPORTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Police have arrested two brothers for an assault late last month in which the male victim required over 100 stitches.

Republicans in Schenectady County took their licks on Election Night losing virtually all the major races.

Two overnight robberies in Schenectady and Colonie could be connected to similar incidents last month.

Scehenctady Police have arrested a Robinson Street woman for shooting a 16-year-old at 10:30 Monday morning.

A 29-year-old convict who beat and repeatedly raped a woman in a downtown apartment doors away from where she lived faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison after a judge found him guilty of several high-level felony sex crimes.

A firefighter was injured Monday when a blaze spread from a large backyard shed and into a home on Fillmore Avenue.

The family of the Encotech Inc. engineering firm founder Fred Kindl donated a 12,000-square-foot building to help Schenectady County Community College serve a growing number of students.

SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL PASSED THE 2010 BUDGET LATE FRIDAY...AFTER TRIMMING $700-THOUSAND FROM THE PROPOSED SPENDING PLAN.

Downtown Custom Printwear celebrated its official opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Schenectady County and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation on Friday, October 30, 2009. Located at 140 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady, the shop specializes in screen printing, embroidery and signage.

Owner Ben Sadler, originally from Cambridge, MA, graduated from Union College in 2007. Unsure of how he would use his degree in psychology and history, he decided to explore his options in Schenectady instead of returning home. Now a little more than two years later, he is a successful business owner.

He began his business in the attic of his home as a hobby. What he didn’t realize was how intricate the screen printing process was. After saving up $700 and making a priceless investment in time to learn the finer points of the craft, Downtown Custom Printwear was born.

Since moving to his storefront on Erie Boulevard, Sadler’s business has grown quickly. He’s used the profits from his original start-up money to purchase upgraded screen printing equipment and broaden his scope of offerings. Sadler has also purchased an embroidery machine and wide-format printer to produce signage.

“For something that started as a hobby, I am surprised by and grateful for this opportunity,” said Sadler. “My connections at Union College and word-of-mouth have really helped to grow my business. What I am most thankful for is that I stayed in Schenectady. This city has offered me tremendous success, and for that I am indebted to this community.”

Downtown Custom Printwear | 140 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady 518.346.4400 | www.downtownprintwear.com

Watson, Peterson and Company CPAs, PLLC celebrated its new partnership with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Schenectady County and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Located at 158 Lafayette Street, Watson, Peterson and Company CPAs specializes in individual and fiduciary income tax preparation; estate, gift and trust taxation; accounting for estates, trusts and guardianships and small business setup.

Susan M. Watson established the firm in 1991. A full-time mother of five, Ms. Watson resumed her education when her last child began school. She attended Schenectady County Community College, the College of St. Rose and achieved her Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University at Albany. She serves on several local boards and has recently been named Woman of the Year by the Schenectady Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Heather A. Peterson joined the firm at its inception as a tax accountant. She has an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Schenectady County Community College, and Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the College of Saint Rose. She became a partner in the firm after being recently licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. Peterson is one of Watson’s five children.

“I am thrilled to have Heather as a partner in the firm,” said Watson. “Not only because she is my daughter, but because it ensures the continuation of this business for years to come.”

Watson, Peterson and Company CPAs, PLLC | 158 Lafayette Street, Schenectady 518.372.9518 | www.watsonpetersoncpa.com

The Chamber of Schenectady County, founded in 1924, is a network of more than 1,000 business organizations serving more than 50,000 employees. Its mission is to drive the business climate throughout Schenectady County, and its vision is to be a catalyst for partnerships and progress and to provide its members and the community with the tools to achieve growth, prosperity and a superior quality of life.

Photo from left: Chamber Ambassador Amy Aldrich; Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation Executive Director Jim Salengo; Assemblyman Tedisco Representative Greg Amorosi; City of Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton; Susan Watson; Heather Peterson; Susan Alexson; Ken Ashe; Christine Gorgen; Chamber of Schenectady County President Chuck Steiner.

Trick-or-Treating hours in Schenectady will be saturday, Oct. 31, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. "Once again, we're asking trick-or-treaters to conclude their door-to-door visits by 8 p.m., and for those at home to turn off porch lights and stop handing out goodies at that time as well," Mayor Stratton said.

A 22-year-old Schenectady man was arrested early Monday after police said they found a loaded handgun and assault rifle in his car.

The city has lost $20,000 for every citizen not counted during the 2000 census. That's why Schenectady officials are not going to make the same mistake of 10 years ago when the city did not actively push for an accurate count during the last census.

Northeast insurer MVP Health Care will begin reimbursing its network of more than 22,000 physicians for Web-based consultations with patients covered through most of its benefit plans.

CBS6Albany.com is launching a new weekly feature called "Downtown Lowdown." Every Friday, we'll be hitting the streets around the Capital Region to talk about what's on your minds -- kind of like coffee talk or watercooler chatter .

Schenectady Police and New York State Police arrested nine women during a prostitution sting Wednesday morning, according to a statement released by police on Wednesday evening.

Police say they seized 4,342 packets of heroin during a drug raid in what they say could be the largest heroin seizure in the city's history.