Springs fire chief returns. Cell phone bans

Smallmouth bass are evolving...

Jul 08, 2025

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Nisky implements new cell phone ban

Niskayuna Central Schools will require students in all eight Niskayuna schools to keep all internet-enabled devices, cell phones — tablets and smartwatches — locked in containers or designated storage bins in classrooms throughout the school day. The district has partnered with the Yondr company to use the firm’s Yondr pouches, a bag that can be locked and that the students will carry with them throughout the school day. Niskayuna already had ban in effect, but the system changed its policies to match the new state mandate to cut internet device usage in schools, the Daily Gazette says.

Dispatch coverage:

Suspended fire chief back on the job

City fire Chief Joseph Dolan is back on the job after two-plus years on administrative leave, the Times Union is reporting. He was accused by then-Commissioner of Public Safety James Montagnino of misconduct for “double dipping,” getting paid by the city and state at the same time. Dolan returned to the fire department Monday after a state arbitrator, the state police and the county District Attorney’s office found the charges were unsubstantiated, the story says.

Who ya gonna call? Schenectady K9 Ghostbusters!

When shoppers take a break and greet the golden retriever donning a Ghostbusters costume, handler Michael Mitchel launches into his introductory spiel, the Daily Gazette says. He explains that he and Lily walk through malls, festivals and flea markets raising money for the Animal Protective Foundation in Glenville, an animal shelter. The group, Schenectady K9 Ghostbusters, has not been working too long but has already raised hundreds of dollars for the shelter, the story says.

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Shaker High grad dies in Lake George

Jaedyn Shomo was a 2022 Shaker High School graduate. She died while swimming off a boat in Lake George over the July 4 holiday weekend, a Times Union story says. She played basketball and coaches remember her as a leader and the “heart-and-soul” of the team. Although the operation of the boat did not cause her death, the operator was charged with Boating While Intoxicated after his attempt to bring the boat near her caused injury to another person on the boat.

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At this hour: Traffic, weather and the markets

Weather

We have about a 30% chance of showers later in the day with a high temperature expected of 82 degrees, the National Weather Service’s Albany office says.

Traffic

According to Google Maps, we are seeing typical delays due to the roadwork around Exit 7 on Interstate-87, but otherwise all is running smoothly, at about 7:10 a.m.

Premarket trading

Stocks dipped sharply yesterday on word that President Donald Trump was ready to implement heftier fines on some Asian countries, but they have gained back some of the losses, according to numbers from Marketwatch. Markets are mixed in pre-market trading.

DuPont Co to settle lawsuit in Hoosick Falls

A decade-old class-action federal lawsuit between the DuPont chemical company and residents of the Village of Hoosick Falls has a tentative settlement of $25 million, the Times Union is reporting. Chemicals from the DuPont company infiltrated drinking water causing numerous health problems for people in and near the village. Other companies were involved as they used the chemicals from the DuPont company. Those other companies have already settled. The money will support the people affected and future healthcare, the story says.

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Smallmouth bass: fighters to the point of evolution

Radio station WAMC is reporting that smallmouth bass, native to North America but invasive in the Adirondacks, are winning the eradication war — and biologically evolving to do it. Eradication efforts against the game fish have actually helped the bass to reproduce, giving a favorable environment to fish that “live fast and die young,” creating a higher birth rate for the fish, an interview with a biologist says.