Drop Boxes for donated clothing: For profit or charity?

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 6:39pm

SCHENECTADY - You see the colorful containers in parking lots across the region: drop boxes for used clothing and shoes. You may think that favorite old coat and pair of designer jeans you give away, are going to help someone in need.

But they're also helping a business turn a profit.

We're not talking about the Salvation Army or Good Will here. It's the other boxes that make different claims: that your donations will go to a charity, for recycling, or that you're helping the environment.

In our In Depth report, we track down the owners behind them to ask what's going on.

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NY deadline for Irene, Lee FEMA aid extended

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 5:53pm

ALBANY (AP) - New York state residents who suffered damage from tropical storms Irene and Lee have extra time to register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA says that at the request of the state, New York residents now have until Dec. 15 to register for federal disaster assistance.

Monday had been the deadline for New Yorkers to register for FEMA aid in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. The deadline to register for Tropical Storm Lee aid in New York had been Nov. 14.

FEMA assistance to individuals includes grants to help pay for temporary housing and home repairs.

People who want to register can call 800-621-3362 or click here. www.DisasterAssistance.gov

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City to celebrate Halloween

Submitted by Sophia Sofferman, WNYT Web Producer

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 3:54pm

The City of Cohoes is holding its annual Halloween parade tonight.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, it will begin in front of Marra's Pharmacy at 6 p.m. The parade will then march north on to Remsen Street to the Cohoes Community Center where a party will be held immediately following.

All costumed Cohoes’ youth ages 12 and under, accompanied by an adult are welcome. If you have any questions, call 233-2116.

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Halloween blood drive is draining at Tech Valley High

Submitted by Sophia Sofferman, WNYT Web Producer

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 3:49pm

Halloween blood drive is draining at Tech Valley High

Blood was flowing at Tech Valley High School on Halloween, but in a good way.

Students from TVHS, UAlbany, Questar III and elsewhere lined-up to donate blood to the Red Cross in an annual blood drive organized by the Questar III Rensselaer Education Center at the UAlbany East Campus.

According to the school’s communication’s coordinator, TVHS senior Patrick Kervin, from Chatham, organized the TVHS participation, securing about 20 donors to join the good cause. He also worked the drive, registering donors and encouraging students who had last minute qualms about going through the process.

Kervin said he organizes the event annually because "it's a great cause." "It's the Red Cross and you can't get more of a good cause and a better community organization," Kervin added.

Alysha Gagnon from Cohoes, goes through the screening process before donating blood. Credit: Mike McCagg

Hunter Dimin, from Averill Park, registers to donate with the assistance of Pat Kervin, of Chatham. Two non-TVHS students look on in the background. Credit: Mike McCagg

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Shenendehowa students to perform in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Sunday, October 30th, 2011, 6:32pm

CLIFTON PARK - Two local students are going to be performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Thirteen year-old Connor Olney of Clifton Park and 12-year-old Gabrielle Straight of Waterford are both middle school students from Shenendehowa Central School District.

They will be performing with the theater arts education company, Camp Broadway.

The parade is on the morning of Thanksgiving on November 24.

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1st snowfall of the season hits upstate NY areas

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Friday, October 28th, 2011, 3:24pm

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Residents in parts of eastern New York scraped snow and ice off their vehicles this morning as the region gets its first significant snowfall of the season, with forecasters saying more is on the way.

The National Weather Service says 2 to 6 inches of snow has fallen across an upstate swath stretching eastward from the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys to Rensselaer County just east of Albany. The snow began falling Thursday afternoon and continued into the night in some areas.

Interstate 90 in Albany was closed for about two hours early Friday because of icy conditions.

The weather service has issued a winter storm watch for Saturday in the Hudson Valley from New York City's northern suburbs to the Catskill Mountains. Forecasts call for between 4 to 8 inches of snow.

More Information:

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County participates in 'Take Back Day' Saturday

Submitted by Sophia Sofferman, WNYT Web Producer

Friday, October 28th, 2011, 9:31am

The Albany County Sheriffs Department, along with several communities around the region are hosting a "Drug Take Back Day" this weekend.

They can be dropped off on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crossgates Mall parking lot across from Border's and Ruby Tuesday's, the Albany Police Dept. South Station, and the Watervliet Police Department.

Click here for more locations.

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