Upstate new York news

Not since Fultonville's Sawyer Fredericks competed and eventually won Season 8 of 'The Voice' 5 years ago, have we had a contestant of area interest go as far as Ian Flanigan.  The 30-year-old Saugerties native with the silky smooth voice that had Blake Shelton jumping out of his chair on Monday night, came one step closer to the coronation of Season 19 winner on the hit NBC singing competition sh

Last week before Thanksgiving, Andrew Cuomo told us "Don't be a turkey...nobody wants to be the turkey on Thanksgiving." If nothing else, it was another memorable way to remind us all to stay under his 10 person limit and to wear a mask.  It's along the same vein as his daily "Don't be stupid!" reminders. He doubled down on the turkey comments by showing up at one of his daily

'Tis the Seizing.... It's not even Black Friday yet and it looks like some of the biggest deals (and steals) of the season may be  coming from a rather unlikely place.  If you're into high end sports collectibles and retro sneakers -  or know someone who is - the New York State Office of General Services (NYS OGS) is auctioning off an impressive array of these goods on their Ebay page. These are a

We felt that going in to the Knockout Rounds on NBC's The Voice, Ian Flanigan from Saugerties made the right song choice to continue deliver the knockout blow to fellow Team Blake contestant Ian Pyle.  Pyle sang 'In My Blood' by Shawn Mendes while  Flanigan, 30, selected 'Beautiful Crazy' by Luke Combs to perform in front of mentor Usher and the millions watching at home. This would be an importan

Deer-crossing signs might be the norm when traveling on State Route 385 in Coxsackie, but this sign has people looking out for a creature far more unique and a lot less common. I guess it's time to add this road to the list of 'Must-Drive Roads in America.'

Bumpy's Polar Freeze, a long-serving ice cream parlor in Schenectady is now under new ownership and the local couple who purchased it plan to relaunch and reboot in the Spring.  Excited about the opportunity that awaits, the buyers are doing all they can to distance themselves from the previous owners oft-talked about and much maligned ways of treating its employees and the community.

In an interview that you'll be able to hear Monday morning right around 7:10AM, the country/ bluegrass style singer that Blake Shelton referred to as a "once in a lifetime" vocalist told Brian and Chrissy on GNA that he'll make his return to NBC's The Voice on Monday night at 8PM.  These are exciting times for Ian Flanigan, the low-key, super chill Saugerties native who has the style, lo

New mandates, new laws, new hours, new adjustments...New York. It's just another day in the life of a an Empire Stater trying to figure out what we can and can't do as well as when we can and can't do it.   Pardon me if I'm coming off as less newsy and more editorial, I'll get off my soapbox now.  The reason for this post is to let you all know that effective on Friday November 13, Rivers Casino a

In her rather contentious Facebook post, a Colonie woman "doesn't recommend the Barnsider Restaurant" in Colonie.  According to the post, what started off as a Sunday night out celebrating her mom's birthday at the popular Colonie restaurant, turned heated and violent. The woman alleges that a female manager at the Barnsider slapped her in the face.

Back in mid September, anyone who bought a New York Lottery Powerball ticket in Saratoga County feverishly checked their numbers - and then double-checked their numbers - to see if they were the 94.8 million dollar jackpot winner. The drawing was held on September 16th and the very next day, lottery officials informed the public that there was one winner, and the ticket was sold at Minogue's Bever

A teenage girl from the Berkshire's was last seen on Saturday night in Pittsfield and police are asking for the public's help as they attempt to locate her.  An Amber Alert has not been issued at this time but according to sources, police considered it.  While the girl went missing out in the Berkshire's, there's a chance the teenager was last seen in Schenectady.

Normally when we get the National Grid bill, it's a few hundred bucks.  On rare occasions - during extremely hot or cold months -  it might be a few bucks more.  But when Ariana Sheehan from Niskayuna opened up her National Grid bill and saw that she owed a whopping total of $18,165.45, her mind was blown.