The empty chair

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Five days after Gary’s death, I still, without thinking, put the sports section at his place when I bring in the morning paper. I get out his tea mug when I turn on the kettle. And so the day goes.

Find and define the invisible women who shaped our culture and history

We are now at a point in our nation’s history where the federal government is purposefully erasing the struggles and triumphs of minorities and of women.

Threats must be understood and prepared for but also put in perspective

While it is responsible to write about past BESS fires so that local firefighters can be trained and prepared, it is also essential to see the threat in perspective as we weigh the benefits of BESS, storing needed energy as we transition away from using fossil fuels.

Protecting farmland benefits us all

We urge the Knox Town Board to forward the proposal to the state and urge the Department of Agriculture and Markets to fund the study. This could serve as a model for many communities as sprawl gobbles up acres of farmland.

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Each one of us should read the Constitution and be vigilant to see it is followed. Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and progressives alike need to understand the importance of the Constitution — its importance transcends party lines and cultural differences.

Vaccine protection is a grave matter

One of the lessons we learned during the pandemic was about the collective good.

In the same way that factories in, say, Ohio can cause acid rain that kills fish in the Adirondacks, we learned that infection does not follow state lines or national borders.

How to make a nuisance into an asset

So, rather than a short-term fix — beavers typically return after some have been shot or trapped — Knox may now have a long-term solution. The beaver colony will prosper without damage to human structures and the wetlands will continue to recharge groundwater, maintain biological diversity, produce nutrients, and provide habitat for many creatures — sustaining Knox residents and delighting birdwatchers.

Albany County jobs program offers a ticket to society

McCoy said to those who “did time in jail” or who “just didn’t like education” — “we’ve got you covered. We have you. We have you … You’ve just got to be willing to take the first step.” We second those words — take the first step; there’s no telling where the journey may lead you.