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May 9, 2008

The cost of a first-class stamp will rise to 42 cents starting May 12, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday.

Other increases set for May 12:

---The cost to mail a post card will also go up a penny, to 27 cents

---Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents.

---Money Orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged.

---Certified mail, $2.70, up 5 cents.

---First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents.

---First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.

May 10, 2008

To search crime statistics on any college campus in the country, click the link below and enter all or part of the school name in the search box mid-way down on the right-hand side of the page.

Albany County is working on a plan to reconstruct about two miles of Fuller Road between Central and Western Avenues.

To view some of the project designs click on the links below.

About 150 people came to a public hearing Thursday where Albany County DPW Commissioner Michael Franchini and Engineers from Creighton Manning Engineering described the possible design of the road, which could include three roundabouts.

The project means some residents along Fuller road may lose small portions of their property, "minor strip-takings" of "a foot or two" according to Franchini. The project will cause some delays. Franchini says traffic will continue to move along Fuller during the project - one lane in each direction. He said the county is working with CDTA, trying to arrange a shuttle during construction to reduce the amount of traffic on that road.

Among the changes involved, the project would remove the traffic signal at Warehouse Row and add left turn lanes at the intersection with Railroad Avenue. Roundabouts would be built at Fuller and Washington Avenue and at the end of the I-90 Exit 2 ramp. A third roundabout is under consideration for Tricentennial Drive, at the entrances for the University At Albany and Albany Nanotech. Franchini said that roundabout depends on future plans at SUNY/Albany Nanotech. Raised medians along at least part of Fuller are a possibility. No changes are planned for the intersection of Fuller and Western Avenue.

Albany County Legislator Frank Commisso asked whether an east-west bridge on Washington Avenue running over the top of the potential roundabout at Fuller would create traffic flow problems going into Albany. Franchini said the county is working on minimizing any effect on traffic at intersections adjacent to Fuller and Washington. Commisso also wanted to know whether Albany Nanotech might help pay for the project, suggesting it has contributed to the increased traffic at Fuller and Washington. Franchini said he believes the county can get additional funding but did not say whether it would come from Albany Nanotech. He said one possibility is creating entrances and exits for Albany Nanotech that would allow the 2,000 workers there to avoid having to use Fuller Road.

One resident was concerned about traffic flow affecting his ability to get out of his driveway. Franchini assured another resident that no property would be taken for the purpose of snow storage, and told someone else it is doubtful that any improvements would be made to the Fuller Road access to Stuyvesant Plaza.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of next year and last for two years. The entire project is estimated to cost almost seventeen million dollars..

May 7, 2008

To fish, hike, or birdwatch at Albany's Basic Creek Reservoir in Westerlo you must have a photo permit. It costs $10 for city residents, $20 for non-residents.

They may be obtained from:

The Department of Water Supply

35 Erie Blvd.

Albany, NY 12204

518-434-5300

May 6, 2008

To view live traffic images on your cell phone, click the link below:

May 5, 2008

Click below for more information on the changes to Walmart's discount drug program.

To make a donation to the Lewis family, who lost two homes they worked to rebuild in a devastating fire, send a donation to:

TROY UFA

PO Box 162

Troy, NY 12181

Listed below are workshops throughout the capital region on preventing default and foreclosure workshops.  The classes are free, to register call the numbers below.

MAY 15^TH  :  ALBANY COUNTY RURAL HOUSING ALLIANCE  235-3920

MAY 29^TH   AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP IN ALBANY   434-1730

JUNE 10^TH    TROY REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM    690-0020

June 24^th     BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS INCORPORATED    372-6469

 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York is now allowing crime victims to go

online and track when the defendant who attacked or otherwise

harmed them is coming up for parole.

   The state Division of Parole is putting the schedule of parole

hearings by individual a click away for the general public. The

upgraded Web site will also allow an easier, quicker way for

victims to comment on whether a defendant deserves parole.

New Yorkers can find out if they are owed some of the state's $8 billion in unclaimed funds at events across the state in March, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. 'New York has $8 billion in unclaimed fund accounts. We want to return this money to its rightful owners,' DiNapoli said. 'The money belongs to New Yorkers. We want to give it back.' Representatives from DiNapoli's office will be on site at the events listed below to help New Yorkers find out if they are owed money. New Yorkers and others may also check for unclaimed funds at www.osc.state.ny.us or by calling toll free at 1-800-221-9311.

If you are in danger of foreclosing on your home and are looking for help there are some options out there in order to secure a  new loan or to talk to your lender about restructuring.  The information below are contacts you can reach out to.

FEDERAL HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT HELP FOR ALL STATES:

REFINANCING INTO AN FHA-INSURED LOAN

Homeowners with adjustable-rate loans may be eligible to refinance the mortgage to a fixed rate loan.

www.fha.gov or 1-800-CALL-FHA

HOPE NOW ALLIANCE/PROJECT LIFELINE

Six major lenders (Bank of America, Citigroup, Countrywide, Chse, WaMu and Wells Fargo) have agreed to put a moratorium on foreclosures for borrowers who are seriously delinquent (90 days or more) whilte they work with homeowners one-on-one.

   www.hopenow.com or call 1-888-995-HOPE

MORTGAGE RELIEF FUND: 

Five major banks in New England (Bank of America, Citizens, Sovereign, TD BankNorth and Webster Bank) have pledged to work with borrowers to try to refinance burdensome mortgages into ne mortgages with better terms.

www.mortgagerelieffund.com

BERKSHIRE COUNTY COUNSELING:

BERKSHIRE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (413) 499-1630

CCCS OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND   (800) 208-2227

BERKSHIRE COUNTY REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (413) 443-7138

About 800,000 taxpayers will have a littlemore money in their bank accounts by the end of the day Monday with  the IRS making direct deposits. The government plans on 800,000 such transactions each day, today, tomorrow and Wednesday. After a break on Thursday, 5 million direct deposits will be made on Friday.

The first paper checks will be mailed by the IRS on Friday, May 9th.

To caluclate how much money you will be receiving click on the link below.

And to join in on the discussion on how you will use the money click on the CBS 6 Rebate Check Forum button below.

April 25, 2008

Click below for more information on the new proposed state area code: