NY maple syrup rebounds 59 percent after slow 2012

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 1:59pm

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's maple syrup production surged this year, thanks to better weather for the sweet crop.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says production was up 59 percent, from 360,000 to 574,000 gallons.

Sap flow was held down in 2012 because of the relatively warm weather in late winter and early spring. Federal experts say the colder early spring slowed budding on the trees and extended the season.

They say only Vermont produced more syrup than New York.

A total of 3.25 million gallons was produced nationally, up 70 percent from 2012.

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Hoosick Street accident sends bicyclist to hospital

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 10:59am

A bicyclist was hit by a car, near Hoosick and 10th Streets in Troy, Monday evening. -

TROY – A bicyclist is seriously hurt, after police say he was hit by a car while trying to cross Hoosick Street.

The accident happened around 9:30 Monday evening, near the intersection of 10^th Street.

That's about 150 feet away from where a mother and child were killed, earlier this year.

Witnesses say 32-year-old Edward Harlow of 10^th Street crossed the westbound lanes, and into a path of an eastbound vehicle, which hit him.

Harlow was taken to Albany Medical Center.

The driver of the car, John Howard, Jr. of Brunswick, was not hurt.

Police say alcohol and speed were not factors.

No tickets have been issued.

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Future of Hoffman's Playland

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Sunday, June 16th, 2013, 9:50am

Visitors enjoying Hoffman's Playland in Latham, on Saturday. -

LATHAM - To keep the carousel turning, and the scrambler scrambling, and the scenic train ride on track, Dave Hoffman and his wife are working 14 hour days at the family fun park in Latham that his grandfather opened 61 years ago.

After working there his entire life, Dave is ready to jump off the carousel. He says, "we are going to retire at some point."

After word got out that the Hoffman's were planning their retirement, rumors began to circulate that the ride was over at the legendary fun park, that developers would almost certainly scoop up the valuable real estate, and essentially pave the play land paradise.

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Mario Cuomo's portrait joins the Hall of Governors

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Sunday, June 16th, 2013, 3:59am

ALBANY - A portrait of former Governor Mario Cuomo, now hangs at the Capitol in the Hall of Governors.

In a ceremony on Saturday, current governor and Mario's son Andrew unveiled the portrait.

Saturday was also the former governor's 81st birthday.

Mario Cuomo is credited with delivering some of America’s most important political speeches.

The Democrat was Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994.

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Hoffman's Playland Owner: "I want to retire"

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Saturday, June 15th, 2013, 10:21am

LATHAM-- At a press conference Saturday morning, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said that it would be a shame to close Hoffman's Playland in Latham, given what it means to generations of families.

He now wants to work with the IDA, to hopefully find a buyer that would keep it a theme park.

Meantime, ask anyone who grew up in the 518 and Hoffman's Playland is the sound of summer.

"My children have come here, I came when I was a child and now I'm bringing my grandchildren," says Rich Alber, of Wynantskill, who was visiting the park Friday with his grandsons.

What's been whispered--and dreaded--for years now, that the long-time owners want to sell, is finally fact.

"The only thing I can tell you with absolute certainty is my wife and I would like to retire at some point," confirms Dave Hoffman.

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East Greenbush teen uses his own detective work to track down stolen bike

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Saturday, June 15th, 2013, 5:02am

Christian Ortel talks about how he used his own detective work to track down the thieves who stole his bike. -

EAST GREENBUSH - A little detective work helps a 13-year-old track down his stolen bike, leading police to the older kids who took it.

Christian Ortel left his brand new BMX bike outside the library a few weeks ago while he went inside to meet up with friends. When he came out, the bike was gone.

Police say three teens told someone they had found his $300 stolen bike.

In reality, those same teens were the ones police say stole the bike and stripped it of parts.

Ortel started making calls and with the help of his younger sister, he tracked down the three older teens suspected of a bike-stealing spree over the last few months.

He's since gotten the bike back - but not before it had been stripped of its parts and damaged.

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