News in brief
$125G grant to help N. Greenbush to pay for work on town hall
NORTHGREENBUSH, N.Y. » The town has been chosen to receive a $125,000 state grant to pay for what officials say are necessary repairs and improvements at Town Hall.
With assistance from state Sen. Kathleen Marchione, RHalfmoon, the secured funding through the Dormitory Authority of New York State’s Municipal Facilities Program. The funding comes a month after the town was also awarded a $50,000 grant from the same program to help pay to build handicap-accessible restrooms and a small shelter in Williams Road Town Park, which hosts the town’s farmers market, the Twin Town Baseball youth sports program and many community events.
“This grant allows our town to make needed facility and grounds repairs to the Town Hall to improve access for disabled individuals, parking and interior building upgrades to better accommodate those who use and visit the facility,” said town Supervisor Lou Desso.
Desso said the town has secured more than $6 million in grants in his first 18 months as town supervisor and expressed his gratitude for the assistance of other local officials, including County Execcutive Kathleen Jimino, U. S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, and Assemblyman John McDonald, D- Cohoes, with special thanks for Marchione, a fellow Republican.
“North Greenbush is very fortunate to have Sen. Marchione’s continued support for initiatives that will help improve our quality of life,” Desso said.
Troopers: Sex offender gave pot to young girl
HOOSICK, N.Y. » A registered sex offender is accused of providing cigarettes and marijuana to a pre-teenaged girl.
State pol i ce said they received information that Michael D. Briggs,
41, a level 2 sex offender, was providing cigarettes and marijuana to a 12-year- old girl. Further investigation revealed Briggs had also failed to meet registry requirements as a convicted sex offender. According to the state registry, Briggs was convicted in WHEN of WHAT.
Briggs was arrested Wednesday and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, unlawfully dealing with a child, and criminal sale of marijuana, all misdemeanors, as well as a pair of unspecified felonies for the alleged registry violations.
Briggs was arraigned in Hoosick Town Court and was sent to the Rensselaer County jail in lieu of bail.
Troopers are asking anyone with information or concerns regarding Briggs to call the Brunswick barracks at 518-279- 4427.
Men accused of using heroin in moving car
TROY, N.Y. » State police said three men were arrested after they were observed recently using heroin in a moving car.
Troopers said they observed a car being driven erractically on Oakwood Avenue last Saturday. After initiating a traffic stop, troopers said they observed both the driver, Michael A. Nelson of Watervliet, and his front- seat passenger, Peter J. DuBois of Mechanicville, holding needle filled with heroin. DuBois and Nelson were each charged with
seventh- degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as was a back-seat passenger, Jeremy D. Byrne, also of Mechanicville after troopers said they found him in possession of a small amount of heroin. All three were released on tickets to appear in Troy City Court.