Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Albany’s free Hops and Harvest Festival plans to kick off fall

And on the Albany Patch calendar - The Albany Job Fair: September 9, 2026

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Hello Albany! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Albany's free Hops and Harvest Festival plans to kick off fall
  • Why Albany County suddenly agreed to pay its school‑zone speeding tickets
  • Halfmoon motorcyclist faces reckless driving charge on Albany's Hudson Avenue

Also on today's calendar: The Albany Job Fair: September 9, 2026 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Sunshine with a shower, with a high of 73 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 79, low: 55.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Albany to welcome fall with returning Hops and Harvest Festival (news10.com) — Albany residents can ring in the fall at the free Hops and Harvest Festival on September 9 at Empire State Plaza, featuring local food, craft beverages, and bluegrass headliner Leftover Salmon. With contests, live music, and free evening parking options, it's designed as a community celebration of local brewers, farmers, and artisans right in downtown Albany.
   

2. Churchill: Despite legal battle, McCoy says county will pay its ticket (timesunion.com) — Albany County Executive Dan McCoy now says the county will pay roughly $7,000 in school‑zone speeding tickets owed to the city of Albany after a months‑long legal standoff. The reversal follows public scrutiny over county employees speeding near schools and the county's earlier refusal of a discounted settlement, and should finally end the city‑county court fight over the fines.
   

3. Halfmoon man charged with reckless driving on Albany's Hudson Avenue (wnyt.com) — Albany County sheriff's deputies say they arrested a Halfmoon man after allegedly spotting him speeding and doing wheelies on a motorcycle along crowded Hudson Avenue in Albany. He faces a reckless driving misdemeanor and multiple traffic infractions and is scheduled to appear in City of Albany Criminal Court, highlighting ongoing enforcement in busy pedestrian areas.
   

4. UAlbany Welcomes Mehkai Williams of Kinston as Part of Largest Incoming Class in School's History — Neuse News (neusenews.com) — The University at Albany is starting Fall 2026 with its largest-ever first-year class, more than 3,500 students, including hundreds from the Capital District. With growing academic programs and a focus on affordability and student success, UAlbany says this diverse Class of 2030 reflects strong interest in studying and living in Albany.
   

5. Inside a Room Full of American Warriors in Tefillin (crownheights.info) — Jewish veterans from across the country gathered at a Marriott in Colonie, just north of Albany, for the Jewish War Veterans' national convention, where a daily morning minyan became the emotional centerpiece. Albany Post 105 members and Rabbi Mordechai Rubin helped many veterans wrap tefillin for the first time in decades, while County Executive Dan McCoy stopped by to thank them for choosing the Albany area.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • JUST PASSING ALONG
    Steve Caprizzo Sean T. Baldwin about an hour ago 9/4/2026 FOUND CAT This friendly guy was wandering around Benson Street by Albany High. He's an… (Nextdoor Ontario Street)
  • Our Turtle "Tiny" (30+ and definately not Tiny) has been missing since early August from 176 Winthrop Ave in the Upper Washington Neighborhood!
    He is a large red -eared slider (I have added an old picture in aroom with 12" floor tiles). If you see or have seen him (alive or dead) please call… (Nextdoor Ontario Street)
  • The Sage Colleges posted a job opening for Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment Management - Russell Sage College in Albany. Apply here.
  • BP&C, Shared Services, Inc. posted a job opening for AVP, Claims Quality Assurance & Performance Management in Albany. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Albany here.

Ok Albany! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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