Schenectady News Archives

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.

PriorityOne Networks, LLC celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Schenectady County. The business is located at 376 Broadway, Schenectady.

PriorityOne is a Communications as-a-Service (CaaS) provider of business-class telephony and unified communications services. They combine the proven reliability of traditional telephony with the flexibility, feature-richness and efficiency of hosted telephony. As a result of this marriage, PriorityOne is able to offer a comprehensive hosted unified communications service allowing customers to eliminate on-premise equipment and issues associated with owning, maintaining and upgrading hardware-based PBX phone system, voicemail, unified messaging and other communications platforms. The PriorityOne service also consolidates multiple vendors, telco services and monthly bills.

Chief Technology Officer and President Randy Zielinski has an extensive professional background in technology. “The real advantages to Voice over Internet Protocol systems is that they eliminate expensive hardware and software. They also offer a wide range of functions usually only found is high-end equipment, and most importantly, they reduce cost,” said Zielinski. PriorityOne offers a range of options from small business service to premium plans.

PriorityOne Networks, LLC | 376 Broadway, Schenectady

518.533.4480 | www.priorityonenet.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: Gerard Parisi; Randy Zielinski; Steve Niro; Chamber of Schenectady County President Chuck Steiner.

Van Corlaer Elementary School was evacuated early this afternoon when a boiler problem set off the fire alarm, school officials said.

A failed bid in broad daylight Thursday by a Schenectady man to rob a gas station has landed him behind bars on a charge of attempted robbery, according to police.

That’s a Great Cigar Shoppe celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Schenectady County and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation on Wednesday, October 14. The Shoppe is located in the former Wallace Armor building at 180 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady.

That’s a Great Cigar Shoppe has a variety of stress-free environments including a lounge with an overstuffed couch, large flat-screen television and DVD player, a card-playing area and a pool table. Customers are welcome to bring in their own food and beverages and can rent the store for private parties.

In addition to the premium boutique cigars in the walk-in humidor, the shop sells lighters, personal humidors, cutters and other related accessories. If preferred, on-site humidor lockers are available for purchase to hold collections of personal favorites.

“I love to shop for unique cigars,” said owner and aficionado Paul Sickles, a former custom homebuilder. “It’s my passion to search-out premium, hard-to-find specialty brands. My main goal is for people to come here and relax. I wanted to create a place that people could escape to.”

Sickles plans to have a licensed massage therapist available by appointment one night a week by the end of October and will begin monthly special events in November.

“It’s wonderful that Paul Sickles has brought new life to this historic building on Erie Boulevard,” said Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation. His business adds to a growing list of specialty retail and service establishments that are helping to define the new downtown Schenectady.”

That’s a Great Cigar Shoppe is hosting an open house on Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. featuring hand-rolled cigars, refreshments and give-aways. All 18 years old or older are welcome.

That’s a Great Cigar Shoppe | 180 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady 518.346.4052 | www.thatsagreatcigarshoppe.com Hours: Monday- Thursday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 1 – 10 p.m.

From the left:Ahmad Yusufi; Schenectady County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara; Assemblyman Jim Tedisco representative Greg Amorosi; Dick Purga; Heidi, Rita and Paul Sickles; Sarah Hotaling-Sickles; Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation Executive Director Jim Salengo; Steve Strichman

A 16-year-old Scotia youth is charged with starting a fire in an abandoned building he'd been living in, Rotterdam police said Saturday.

The 22-year-old city man who slipped out of a Schenectady County courtroom during an appearance this summer pleaded guilty this morning to a weapons offense.

Schenectady police have released the identity of a woman found dead in the closet of a vacant downtown apartment, and are asking any of her relatives to contact them.

Albany police say four people were arrested after breaking into the Crowne Plaza parking garage just after being involved in a fight outside it.

The building at at 1625 Union St., Schenectady, that houses Hot Harry's Fresh Burritos, another business and apartments was damaged by fire Tuesday morning.

SCHENECTADY POLICE HAVE RELEASED THE NAME OF A WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN THE CLOSET OF A VACANT APARTMENT, AND ARE ASKING ANY OF HER RELATIVES TO CONTACT THEM.

A paroled felon suspected of fatally shooting a city woman in June had repeatedly violated the terms of his release from federal prison just three months before the robbery-turned-homicide, according to court records and people familiar with the case.

Firefighters are battling a blaze inside an Upper Union Street apartment. Firefighters say the blaze is at 1625 Union St., a building that also houses a military recruiting station and Hot Harry's burrito shop.

Following in the footsteps of Troy, Albany and Saratoga, the city of Schenectady announced it will likely have to increase taxes in 2010.

Psst a ' wanna buy a slightly used state building? The Office of General Services will sell off the Schenectady Armory on Washington Avenue next month.

Late last year, in a "Why not try this?" mood for one of Schenectady's Art Nights, Proctors hosted a display of motorcycles and motorcycle photography by Latham-based Dino Petrocelli, who in recent years has become a prominent shooter of two-wheeled works of art.

SCHENECTADY MAYOR BRIAN STRATTON SAYS HE NEEDS ANOTHER WEEK AND A HALF TO PREPARE HIS 2010 BUDGET.