Melissa's AP stories

2005-03-05T19:46:00.000-05:00

Feb. 17, 2005Three dead crows test positive for West NileBy MELISSA MANSFIELDAssociated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Three dead crows found this week in the mid-Hudson Valley tested positive for the West Nile virus, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said Thursday. While there have been thousands of crows found with the virus in New York, this is only the third time

2005-01-05T19:44:00.000-05:00

Babies welcome at special screeningsBY MELISSA MANSFIELD=Associated Press Writer= RHINEBECK, N.Y. (AP) _ Monte Romero sat on his mother's lap, looking up at the movie playing on the big screen and chomping on popcorn. After a few moments, he rubbed his eyes, hopped back out into the aisle and went exploring. The 2-year-old stopped and shouted, "Go!" while pointing to the screen, then returned

2005-01-03T13:28:00.000-05:00

Jan. 2, 2005 Unique community challenges residents to make do with less By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) _ When Laura Beck and Greg Pitts realized their marriage was falling apart, one thing was clear: They would work together to maintain a loving, supportive environment for their young son, Ethan. In June 2002, the couple had moved from Austin, Texas, to

2004-11-13T20:18:00.000-05:00

Nov. 11, 2004 World War II veteran finds himself in painting By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Jean Muth skimmed the newspaper Sunday when a listing about a World War II exhibit caught her eye. Along with the museum's hours was a shot of a featured painting, depicting sailors playing poker aboard the "Lucky Lizzy." She examined the picture closer. There, on the

2004-11-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

Nov. 2, 2004 Some college students have trouble casting ballots By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ A steady stream of students made their way to the polls Tuesday at the State University of New York at Albany, but not everyone had an easy time delivering their vote. Some students who showed up at their designated polling place found that their names were neither on

2004-11-13T20:14:00.000-05:00

Oct. 29, 2004 Companies gear election-themed products toward public By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Howard Glassman shrugged his shoulders. There was no more Participation Ale. "That's it for four years," he said as he tended the bar at Valentines, a music club, talking about a special brew made for the presidential election by Burlington, Vt.-based Magic Hat.

2004-11-13T20:12:00.000-05:00

Oct. 23, 2004 New exhibit examines private vs. public space By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer TROY, N.Y. (AP) _ Down a long dark hallway, Vito Acconci peers out of a black and white television set. He lies on the floor as he taunts the viewer, his face taking up much of the screen. "Why don't you come in here with me," he pleads, then takes a drag off a cigarette and sings along with

2004-09-24T09:47:00.000-04:00

July 23 Upstate school district sues state for 'adequate' funding By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The Utica City School District filed a lawsuit against state leaders Friday, a move aimed at ensuring the district gets its fair share in light of a court order that funding for New York City schools be made more equitable. "We're asking the court to declare that

2004-09-24T09:46:00.000-04:00

July 22 Pataki troubled by Berger allegations By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Gov. George Pataki on Thursday called the Justice Department probe of former national security adviser Sandy Berger "troubling," adding the case may have significantly impacted the Sept. 11 commission's final report. "To find out that national security documents dealing with Sept. 11

2004-09-24T09:44:00.000-04:00

June 18 Exhibit opens telling story of Route 22 By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer TROY, N.Y. (AP) _ It starts in Manhattan, then snakes north, following close to the New York-Vermont line. Through Patterson, Essex, West Chazy, Route 22 stretches 350 miles from New York's City Hall Park to Montreal's Mount Royal Park. Benjamin Swett found himself driving up that highway one day, armed

2004-09-24T09:36:00.000-04:00

May 14 Residents watch new ship's journey to the lake By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer TICONDEROGA, N.Y. (AP) _ They pulled out the lawn chairs and waited. The women sitting at Betty Mason's front yard were excited about the parade _ the police escort, the emergency response vehicles, and the main attraction, a 115-foot-long tour boat on its way to Lake George. "This is fantastic,"

2004-04-28T08:18:00.000-04:00

April 9 Collection of Italian ceramics starts six city tour By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) _ It's hard to imagine eating dinner off of a work of art. But during the Italian Renaissance, artists started painting ceramic plates, plaques and jars that were colorful, detailed, beautiful _ and functional. A large collection of these works, called maiolica,

2004-03-11T09:54:00.000-05:00

March 1 Motorcycle memorabilia goes on display By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ When Ken McGuire was teased about his small-engine 1967 motorcycle's reliability, he took it as a dare _ and drove 2,300 miles to California in 2001 to prove he could. Now the Bultaco Metralla MKII is part of "Designs Through Time: Motorcycles Past, Present and Future," an exhibit

2003-12-29T11:24:00.000-05:00

Dec. 26, 2003 Single mothers use web project to tell their stories By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer TROY, N.Y. (AP) _ "Home is a big responsibility," Sonia De Alba wrote. "It's the place where you are beginning to teach your family values such as respect and discipline. Home is when you take care of your children when they are sick, and where you show them you love them. They know

2003-12-09T09:34:00.000-05:00

Dec. 6, 2003 Slow-moving storm hitting half the state By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ A foot or more of snow blanketed parts of upstate New York Saturday, causing at least one death, while forecasters predicted additional accumulations before the storm was expected move out by Sunday. Police blame slippery road conditions for the death of a Yates County

2003-12-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Nov. 28, 2003 Announcers use radio shows to reach out to inmates By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) _ Vassar College disc jockey Julie gets about 10 letters a week from men across the Hudson Valley. She's never met these men _ all of whom are in prisons within the listening area. Since 1999, Julie has read their letters on the air during her jazz show on WVKR.

2003-11-11T15:14:00.000-05:00

Nov. 11, 2003 Veterans go on organized tours to Vietnam to reconcile their feelings in war's aftermath By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer TROY, N.Y. (AP) _ The first time Ivan Van Laningham was in Vietnam, the mountain of Cu Chi was a combat zone. Thirty-two years after serving in the Vietnam War, Van Laningham returned and found a resort area where rubber-tired trains cart tourists

2003-11-01T16:52:00.000-05:00

Bands, fans give back to communities they visit By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer October 30, 2003 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Jamie McGinnis and Jorge Gomes often donate to food drives near their home in Gardiner. So when they came to the Palace Theater here to see a bluegrass jam band called The String Cheese Incident and heard there was a food collection, they brought along bags of food

2003-08-27T11:58:00.000-04:00

Sales tax on clothing, footwear waived through Labor Day By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer August 25, 2003 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ With back-to-school shopping in full swing, the state and 49 counties are waiving sales taxes on clothing and footwear starting Tuesday. The governor's office estimates that shoppers will save $46 million. "Not only will this program help New Yorkers save

2003-07-25T15:51:00.000-04:00

Combining gravity and grace, school teaches art of trapeze By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer July 25, 2003 NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (AP) _ Chalked hands visibly shaking, I stared straight ahead, knowing a glance downward would not be helpful. I focused on breathing, hoping I wouldn't hyperventilate. My head was already feeling light. "Why am I up here again?" ran though my head as I stood 23

2003-07-25T09:41:00.000-04:00

Bar braces for nonsmoking days ahead By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer July 23, 2003 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ As the statewide smoking ban loomed, bar manager Michael Proctor wasn't worried about business. "Where else are they going to go?" he asked, since virtually all bars will be the same _ smoke free. "This is a big change," Proctor, who works at the Lionheart, in Albany, said. "

2003-07-10T08:35:00.000-04:00

Monastery offers visitors window into Buddhism By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer July 4, 2003 CARMEL, N.Y. (AP) _ The 37-foot Buddha sits atop a lotus flower, encircled by 10,000 smaller Buddha statues. His hands _ the left index finger extended into the clenched right in a "knowledge fist" _ show this Buddha Vairocana represents the unification of compassion and wisdom. The Chuang Yen

2003-06-13T11:46:00.000-04:00

Preface- I feel weird including this one. It was a quick news story. I didn't get emotionally involved or really into it -- there wasn't time. But my name is on it and it is in this morning's papers across the state. So, enjoy: Hevesi criticizes Tuboliner delays, cost overruns By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer June 12, 2003 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ A project aimed at modernizing passenger

2003-06-02T08:25:00.000-04:00

Artists appreciate letter A By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer May 30, 2003 TROY, N.Y. (AP) _ A is for Art and Argentina and Austria and Australia, as well as America. A simultaneous art exhibit featuring postcards by artists living in countries beginning with the letter "A" opened Friday in America, near Albany. The Arts Center of the Capital Region received hundreds of

2003-05-30T08:28:00.000-04:00

June 2, 2003 Women use energy healing on horses By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. (AP) _ After being spooked by a bee that got too close, Buddy the horse was visibly irritable and jumpy. Dawn Taylor put one hand under the base of his chocolate-brown neck, the other at the withers, just below the end of his mane. After a few moments, Buddy's breathing calmed and

2003-05-28T08:15:00.000-04:00

This story went out last Monday, for use any time: May 18, 2003 Made with care: Group donates items to those in need< By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer SIDNEY, N.Y. (AP) _ Andrea Whiteside held up a clear garbage bag full of yarn, smiled, and added it to boxes and bags before her. "Just look at these piles and piles of yarn," she said with a twinkle in her eye. When Whiteside placed

2003-05-07T10:55:00.000-04:00

May 6,2003 Bard student receives grant to study beekeeping By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (AP) _ When Emily McNair tried to start a beekeeping collective on her college campus, the student body wasn't very receptive. "It's kind of hard to get people to hang around bees," the 22-year old Bard College student reasoned. Instead she will use a

2003-04-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

March 1, 2003 Internationally coordinated theater piece promotes peace< By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) _ From a community college auditorium in Plattsburgh, to an art gallery in Ithaca, a mall bookstore in Syracuse, and a cafe in Saratoga Springs, groups around the state will perform an ancient Greek play to protest a possible war with Iraq on Monday.

2003-02-07T10:46:00.000-05:00

February 6, 2003 Women plan trip to Iraq to prevent war By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (AP) _ Michele Riddell held up a photograph of two smiling Iraqi boys. "This is what we're going to be killing," she said, her voice strained. "And I feel like it's not OK." Riddell, Lorna Tychostup and Manna Jo Greene plan to go to Iraq Saturday for 10 days on a mission of

2003-02-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

January 30, 2003 (second to go national this year! woo hoo!) State museum opens second phase of World Trade Center exhibit By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Gerry Forino and Anthony Basic examined panoramic photos of the Fresh Kills landfill, trying to point out where they sifted through debris taken from the World Trade Center site for 11 months. "This was out

2003-01-09T14:50:00.000-05:00

January 7, 2003 Beatles photos, memorabilia on display By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Harry Benson was in the room when the Beatles found out they would be playing the Ed Sullivan Show. He was there when "I Want to Hold Your Hand" landed in the Top 10. He photographed them joking around, composing classics and flying to America. Along with 80 of the

2002-12-27T15:45:00.000-05:00

Hello. Here are a bunch of stories I have done over the past six months. Now that I have this site, articles will be up as soon as stories are released. Hope you enjoy! (Half Moon from 9/11, Girls Exhibit from 10/15, Conference Funding from 10/17, Halloween Book from 10/31, Troy Bikes from 11/11, Venison Donation from 11/17 and Free Smokes from 12/26.)

2002-12-27T15:40:00.000-05:00

December 25, 2002 Bar patrons receive free cigarettes from tobacco companies By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Tobacco companies say they're just out pitching their products, handing out free packs of cigarettes to smokers in clubs and pubs around New York, trying to get them to switch brands. Anti-smoking advocates, though, call the free smokes a way to get

2002-12-27T15:38:00.000-05:00

November 27, 2002 Hunters donate deer meat to food programs By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer LATHAM, N.Y. (AP) _ Hunters around the state are killing more deer than they need for a good cause _ feeding the hungry. Processed deer meat has appeared on plates in soup kitchens for many years, but statewide coordination efforts began for the first time this hunting season. "We

2002-12-27T15:36:00.000-05:00

Novermber 11, 2002 Volunteers recycle bikes for community use By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer TROY, N.Y. (AP) _ Andrew Lynn couldn't resist the bicycles discarded in the trash bin behind the city's Department of Public Works. So, he hauled them out and stashed them in the bushes until he could come back. The piles grew and the idea for the Troy Bike Rescue came to him based on a

2002-12-27T15:34:00.000-05:00

October 30, 2002 Haunting photos show Halloween's past By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Red Riding Hood is frozen in mock terror. It's a bear this time that's after the girl. Instead of running for her life, the girl stood stone still in her 1940s Halloween costume as Phyllis Galembo snapped her picture. The photo, and 122 others, are part of Galembo's

2002-12-27T15:33:00.000-05:00

October 16, 2002 Controversial topic prompts denial of funding for annual conference By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (AP) _ For the first time in 15 years, an upstate university has denied funding for a popular women's studies conference, deeming it too unbalanced in its portrayal of the Middle East. Some students and professors at the State University of New

2002-12-27T15:31:00.000-05:00

October 14, 2002 State museum exhibit focuses on girls' history By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The girl in the 1960s Polaroid beams, a pink corsage with 16 little sugar-cubes pinned to her shirt. Then there is the black graduation-cap and its faded white tassel. Nearby, there's a confirmation gown, neatly folded in a box, preserved for generations. These

2002-12-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

September 11, 2002 Students replicate original Henry Hudson voyage By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer RENSSELAER, N.Y. (AP) _ Robbie McDonald had never been on a boat before, but he wasn't scared about the idea of living on the Half Moon for six days, mirroring part of Henry Hudson's original journey. "I'm looking forward to steering the ship," the 12-year-old Rensselaer student