Crispin Kott

1 week ago | hudsonvalleyone.com | Crispin Kott

With Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement last month of a $13.5 million investment in creating smartphone-free public K-12 schools, an already-growing trend will go statewide at the start of the 2025-26 school year. But how will that work in local school districts remains to be seen. Hochul announced the new bell-to-bell restrictions at a May 6 press conference, linking the move to continue pushing for distraction-free campuses with efforts to support youth mental health and academic success.

1 week ago | hudsonvalleyone.com | Crispin Kott

This week, Saugerties will hold the first of two public hearings regarding a proposed zoning change for the controversial Winston Farm development. Developers are seeking municipal approval to create a planned development district that will allow for both residential and commercial use on the 840-acre property. Supporters and opponents of the project are expected to attend the first public hearing, set for Wednesday, June 18, 6 p.m., at the Frank D. Greco Memorial Senior Center.

2 weeks ago | hudsonvalleyone.com | Crispin Kott

Developers of a controversial housing proposal in the Town of Ulster say they’re scaling back plans to build apartment complex, addressing traffic, and including some affordable housing after considering public feedback. During a meeting of the Ulster Town Board last week, Tom George, CEO of Rochester-based Whitestone Development discussed the proposal for a residential community at 1530 State Route 9W, a property above Adams Fairacre Farms.

2 weeks ago | hudsonvalleyone.com | Crispin Kott

Following weeks of parents asking for options, and months of accusations of deliberate undermining by district officials, the Montessori program at George Washington Elementary School will end later this month. The board of education last week voted 8-1 to end Montessori, citing numerous issues, including costs and underperformance. Anthony Fitzpatrick was the sole vote against.

3 weeks ago | hudsonvalleyone.com | Crispin Kott

The latest proposal for the former John A. Coleman Catholic High School in the Town of Ulster would see the building demolished and the property developed into a 250-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility. Last month, the Ulster Town Board declared itself lead agency for the project, proposed by Terra-Gen, a San Diego-based renewable energy power producer with 3.8GW of wind, solar and battery storage projects primarily located in California and Texas.