Future of Hoffman's Playland

Sunday, June 16th, 2013, 9:50am

Visitors enjoying Hoffman's Playland in Latham, on Saturday. -

LATHAM - To keep the carousel turning, and the scrambler scrambling, and the scenic train ride on track, Dave Hoffman and his wife are working 14 hour days at the family fun park in Latham that his grandfather opened 61 years ago.

After working there his entire life, Dave is ready to jump off the carousel. He says, "we are going to retire at some point."

After word got out that the Hoffman's were planning their retirement, rumors began to circulate that the ride was over at the legendary fun park, that developers would almost certainly scoop up the valuable real estate, and essentially pave the play land paradise.

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Mario Cuomo's portrait joins the Hall of Governors

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Sunday, June 16th, 2013, 3:59am

ALBANY - A portrait of former Governor Mario Cuomo, now hangs at the Capitol in the Hall of Governors.

In a ceremony on Saturday, current governor and Mario's son Andrew unveiled the portrait.

Saturday was also the former governor's 81st birthday.

Mario Cuomo is credited with delivering some of America’s most important political speeches.

The Democrat was Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994.

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Hoffman's Playland Owner: "I want to retire"

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Saturday, June 15th, 2013, 10:21am

LATHAM-- At a press conference Saturday morning, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said that it would be a shame to close Hoffman's Playland in Latham, given what it means to generations of families.

He now wants to work with the IDA, to hopefully find a buyer that would keep it a theme park.

Meantime, ask anyone who grew up in the 518 and Hoffman's Playland is the sound of summer.

"My children have come here, I came when I was a child and now I'm bringing my grandchildren," says Rich Alber, of Wynantskill, who was visiting the park Friday with his grandsons.

What's been whispered--and dreaded--for years now, that the long-time owners want to sell, is finally fact.

"The only thing I can tell you with absolute certainty is my wife and I would like to retire at some point," confirms Dave Hoffman.

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Class of the Capital Region enjoys day of fun

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Friday, June 14th, 2013, 4:08pm

The 2013 Class of the Capital Region, and Jim Kambrich -

The best and brightest students in the Capital Region are enjoying a day of fun and recreation at The Great Escape in Lake George.

It's part of NewsChannel 13 and The Great Escape's "Class of the Capital Region".

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Capital Region under flood watch

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Thursday, June 13th, 2013, 5:38pm

The entire Capital Region is under a flood watch Thursday night and will stay that way through Saturday morning.

In downtown Albany, people rushed into buildings, hiding under umbrellas.

In Pittsfield, the water was so high along Dan Casey Memorial Drive, that some folks were fly fishing.

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New report shows increase in tornado activity across New York State

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Thursday, June 13th, 2013, 12:26pm

New report shows increase in tornado activity across New York State

A new report released late Thursday morning says the number of tornadoes is dramatically rising in New York State.

The numbers are staggering from this report. It found a 600 percent increase in tornado activity in the past 27 years.

One lawmaker is proposing recommendations and legislation he says will protect lives.

We've certainly seen some of that activity here in the Capital Region. Just a couple of weeks ago, three tornadoes ripped through the area. One of them started in the town of Florida and carved a 17 mile path of destruction -- all the way into Rotterdam.

The report says New York has seen a lot more tornadoes since 1986 -- and the past decade has been very active.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Steve DiRienzo says tornadoes are not unusual in New York. But he says we may be in an active pattern right now.

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