By Jay Braman Jr.
A New York State Supreme Court decision allowing a controversial water-harvesting project to proceed has been overturned in the Appellate Division, leaving the fate of the project uncertain. Backers of the project must now go back before local zoners and planners.

New owners will convert A&P store

By Brian Sweeney
The changeover from the Margaretville A&P to a Freshtown Supermarket is set to begin in September, it was revealed at public meeting last Tuesday. Noah Katz, a partner in PSK Supermarkets, gave a presentation about what customers can expect when the transformation to the new store is complete. He indicated that the supermarket will remain open during renovations, with most of the work taking place at night. The changeover into a state-of-the-art supermarket is expected to be complete by Christmas.

Animal rights activists work to rescue calf

By Julia Green
The great Margaretville area buffalo hunt continued this week as local animal rights representatives and law enforcement officials attempt to corral an orphaned buffalo calf that has been roaming alone since its mother was shot last Monday in the Bull Run Valley area.
The calf is reportedly one of a number of the animals that escaped from a farm in the Bloomville area in late April.

Aide is hired to assist girl who was target

By Matthew J. Perry
The administration at Margaretville Central School has brought in a conflict resolution specialist and an extra aide to help restore calm in the second-grade classroom after a plot allegedly hatched by several students against a girl in the class. For the remainder of the school year, the aide will assist in the class and provide “an extra set of eyes,” said Superintendent John Riedl.

Margaretville Hospital received a Special Recognition Award from the New York State Police on May 28 in honor of the facility’s work during the April 2007 shootings involving three police officers. Chief Executive Officer Ed Morache accepted the award on behalf of the hospital in a ceremony in Albany. The certificate was presented “In recognition and acknowledgement of outstanding service to the division of state police.”

Company has several cell sites in town

By Jay Braman Jr.
First, Shandaken couldn’t get a cell tower in town if it tried. Now it appears towers might be popping up in unexpected places. It was announced last week that Verizon has asked for permission to build its own 130-foot tall tower, called a monopole, near the town hall in Allaben.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Town of Shandaken has found itself named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court by an electrical contractor seeking to collect $136,255 for work done at the Emerson Resort and Spa last year.
Whitman Electric, Inc. filed the suit on April 24 naming several people and entities including local businessman Dean Gitter, who spearheads the Emerson and the planned Crossroads Ventures Resort /Spa, and other companies with which he is involved. The suit also names other contractors who appear to have liens against the Emerson.

Historic church was built in 1908 and reconstructed in Grand Gorge 50 years ago

By Julia Green
The Pilgrim Holiness Church in Grand Gorge commemorated the 50th anniversary of the reconstruction of its sanctuary building on Saturday with a day of celebratory activities, including a 10 a.m. service followed by lunch at the Grand Gorge Civic Center. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the original construction of the building in June 1908, which first served an Advent Christian congregation.

By Julia Green
A mother buffalo, accompanied by her calf, was one of three of the large animals that were shot over the past week after reportedly escaping in April from a farm in the Bovina/Bloomville area. According to a Bloomville source, who asked to remain anonymous, 13 of the animals escaped as they were being unloaded by their owner, reportedly a New Hampshire resident, at a Bloomville area farm where they were going to be pastured. Seven of the animals were reportedly shot by the owner immediately after they got loose, two were shot last week in the Bovina area and one, the nursing mother, was killed Monday in Bull Run.

By Brian Sweeney
Anthony Albanese of Scotia has been hired as the superintendent of the Margaretville Central School District.
Mr. Albanese was selected from more than 40 candidates who applied for the position. He will succeed John Riedl whose retirement becomes effective July 1. Mr. Riedl has been MCS superintendent since 2002.