Indians undefeated after 48-0 shutout

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA — After standing vacant for about two decades, a local eyesore has been sold and will be redeveloped by a new owner.

Mayor Bill Misuraca announced at the Oct. 17 meeting of the village board that the deal on the long-vacant site officially closed and repairs to the roof have begun.

“The old Bush’s hardware store has officially sold and the closing occurred, and the new owners have equipment there,” Misuraca said. “They got their permits for the roof demolition and rebuild, which is their first step, so it’s nice to see that they’re progressing quickly.”

Bush’s hardware store, at 159 Main St. in the village, is across the street from the Ravena post office and has been vacant for many years. Village officials have been working to figure out what to do with the site, which was becoming progressively more dilapidated over time.

The building was purchased by Chris Gallagher of Gallagher & Company, a real estate firm specializing in commercial and industrial properties, with offices in Albany and Windham. Gallagher could not be reached for comment at press time.

Misuraca said the company purchased the former hardware store with the goal of rehabilitating it.

“The current owner, Gallagher, rehabs buildings for a living,” the mayor said. “He plans to make living space upstairs, a complete remodel and restoration of the entire building. The downstairs will be what he calls a ‘vanilla box,’ completely set up and ready for any number of offices or professional space to move into. He seems to have a very solid plan; he has done similar projects in Albany with great success.”

Another long-vacant and abandoned building on Main Street may also get a new owner and a facelift. That property, too, has posed a challenge for the village as it has stood damaged and vacant for many years.

“In another bit of good news, the other vacant apartments across from the firehouse on Main Street are in contract right now to sell to a new owner,” Misuraca said. “That owner knows where we’re at with the enforcement process and is ready to make very fast moves to improve those properties and get them up to code and habitable again, so these are two big moves happening and we are glad to see that.”

A third building on Main Street is also in the village’s sights — the building at 136 Main St., across the street from the veterans’ monument, which has also been vacant for many years. The structure was built in 1950, according to online property records, and over the years housed various restaurants and bars, including Sandy’s Tavern, Wingnuts, and The Lighthouse.

The building has stood vacant for a long time and is in poor condition. For years, there was an “Auction” sign posted in the window, but the building never sold and was slated for demolition by Albany County, but so far, no action has been taken.

“We have been negotiating with the county, who are the current owners, to get some progress on this one next,” Misuraca said. “They promised to tear it down several years ago, but that has not happened. Our lawyers are actively working on this.”

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK — The world is full of bad news these days — high inflation, skyrocketing gas prices, mass shootings, hate crimes, a global pandemic, even monkeypox outbreaks.

Take a look at most news outlets and you’ll see a never-ending stream of bad news.

The Ravena News-Herald wants to change that.

The newspaper is launching a “Good News” initiative, and we are hoping our readers will help out.

“There’s plenty of good news out there and we want to shine a light on it,” said Warren Dews Jr., publisher and vice president of Capital Region Independent Media, which publishes the Ravena News-Herald. “In addition to our regular, day-to-day news cycle, we want to hear about the good things happening in the communities we cover — and there’s plenty of it.”

The newspaper is looking to share all kinds of good news stories, from acts of kindness among neighbors or strangers, to charitable good works, businesses that are helping their community, fundraising efforts to support local nonprofit organizations, and more.

“Everyone knows the old adage about a cat stuck up in a tree and the firefighters who climb the tree to rescue it. But you never hear about that in the mainstream media — we want to hear about it,” Dews said.

The News-Herald will, of course, continue to cover issues of importance in the communities we serve, but we will be making a special outreach effort to identify positive, uplifting stories to share the good things people in our communities are doing.

Do you know of someone who helped an elderly neighbor through a rough patch, or tutors a struggling child in their spare time, or launched a community garden to grow food for a local food pantry?

Maybe it’s a library program that reaches out to underserved populations, or a program that helps low-income families feed their kids when school is out. Community beautification programs, educational activities, or just giving a helping hand to someone who needs it.

All of them, and more, qualify for our new “Good News” segment.

There are an untold number of good things happening in the local area and we want to know about it and share these stories of hope, compassion and generosity.

If you know of a “Good News” story, please reach out and let us know about it. Please submit your story idea to ravenanewsroom@gmail.com, include your name and contact information, and someone from our staff will get in touch with you.

This is an ongoing campaign, so let’s work together to make the “Good News” roll.