📆 BETHELEHEM AREA EVENTS

💻🏗️ $570 MILLION DATA CENTER PLAN MOVES FORWARD IN ALBANY — ZONING CHANGES WOULD BE REQUIRED ⚡🏙️

🚨🏥 HEALTH COVERAGE CHANGES BEGIN FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS ⚠️💙

🎓🦅 CONGRATULATIONS, BCHS CLASS OF 2026! THE NEXT CHAPTER BEGINS! 🎉💙💛

🧩☕ FRIDAY MORNING MATH PUZZLER SOLVED! ☕🧩

Introducing the Bethlehem Area Live Community Calendar

JUNE 28th - Sunday

JUNE 29th - Monday

JUNE 30th - Tuesday

JULY 1st - Wednesday

💻🏗️ $570 MILLION DATA CENTER PLAN MOVES FORWARD IN ALBANY — ZONING CHANGES WOULD BE REQUIRED ⚡🏙️

A proposed $570 million technology campus and data center on the former Kenwood Academy property in Albany has taken another step forward as the developer prepares to seek zoning changes needed for the project.

The 76-acre site, currently zoned as a mixed-use campus, would be reclassified under the city's existing light industrial zoning category to allow construction of what developers describe as the Capital Region's first purpose-built technology campus.

💻 A 500,000-square-foot edge data center
🔬 Research laboratories and office space
🏭 Clean technology manufacturing facilities
🏘️ Nearly 300 apartments
🛍️ Ground-floor retail space

Developers say the first phase would represent a $570 million investment, while the full build-out could eventually exceed $2 billion.

During a recent meeting with South End residents, community members raised questions about:

🚗 Traffic impacts
🏘️ Housing priorities and affordability
⚡ Electric grid capacity
💧 Water usage
🌳 Environmental impacts
💼 Local economic benefits

Developers said the project is intended to redevelop the long-vacant Kenwood Academy property following the devastating 2023 fire and have stated they plan to continue working with neighborhood groups throughout the review process.

The proposal remains in the early stages.

Before construction could begin, it would require:
✔️ Zoning changes by the City of Albany
✔️ Planning Board review
✔️ Public hearings
✔️ Environmental review
✔️ Additional city approvals

At the same time, state legislation proposing a one-year pause on new data center approvals is still awaiting action, which could also affect the project's timeline.

📌 This remains one of the Capital Region's largest proposed redevelopment projects and is expected to generate significant public discussion in the months ahead.

📰 Source: https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/data-center-developer-says-wheels-motion-city-22321980.php

#BethlehemLocalNews #CapitalRegion #AlbanyNY #KenwoodCommons #DataCenter #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityNews #Technology #Albany #CapitalRegionNews #StayInformed

🚨🏥 HEALTH COVERAGE CHANGES BEGIN FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS ⚠️💙

Beginning this week, nearly 450,000 New Yorkers, are expected to lose their current health insurance coverage following changes tied to the federal budget legislation known as the "Big Beautiful Bill."

The changes affect people enrolled in New York's Essential Plan who no longer qualify for federal financial assistance. The Essential Plan provides low-cost health insurance for lower-income residents who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot easily afford private insurance.

Among those impacted are:
🔹 Many lawful immigrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals with Temporary Protected Status.
🔹 Approximately 6,000 DACA recipients.
🔹 Other residents whose incomes fall between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level.

For many affected households, replacing their current coverage could mean paying an additional $200 to $400 per month for health insurance, depending on their circumstances.

According to state officials:
✅ Approximately 1.3 million New Yorkers enrolled in the Essential Plan with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level will keep their coverage.
❌ Those above that income threshold who previously qualified under an expanded federal waiver are the group most affected by these changes.

State health officials say they have been notifying impacted residents by mail and text message and are encouraging them to explore other available insurance options through New York's health insurance marketplace.

The funding changes stem from federal legislation that eliminated an estimated $7.5 billion in tax credits that had helped support New York's Essential Plan.

📌 If you or someone you know is enrolled in the Essential Plan, it's important to check your coverage status and review any notices received from New York State regarding enrollment options.

📰 Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/thousands-losing-health-care-coverage-new-york-22320491.php

#BethlehemLocalNews #NewYork #Healthcare #EssentialPlan #HealthInsurance #AffordableCareAct #CommunityNews #CapitalRegion #StayInformed #PublicHealth

A proud milestone was celebrated on Saturday, June 27, as 323 graduates from Bethlehem Central High School officially became the Class of 2026 during the 92nd Commencement Ceremony at MVP Arena in downtown Albany.

Family, friends, teachers, staff, administrators, and members of the Board of Education gathered to honor an incredible class whose hard work, perseverance, and achievements have prepared them for exciting new adventures ahead.

🎓 Highlights from Commencement:
✨ 323 students received their diplomas
🎤 Inspiring remarks from Principal Dave Doemel, Superintendent Jody Monroe, and Board of Education President Holly Dellenbaugh
🎙️ Student speeches by Eva Rice, Brianna Fabian, and Madeline Danz
👏 Students were accompanied by their school counselors and 25 Honorary Graduation Marshals—teachers and staff selected by the graduates for making a lasting impact on their educational journey.

💙 This year's ceremony also marked a special milestone for Principal Dave Doemel, as it was his final BCHS commencement before he begins his new role as Principal of Eagle Elementary School this fall. During his remarks, he encouraged graduates to measure success by the strength of their character, kindness, and authenticity while honoring the memory of beloved French teacher Michele Atallah, whose legacy continues to inspire the Bethlehem school community.

🎉 As these graduates turn the page to college, careers, military service, apprenticeships, and countless new opportunities, they leave behind a legacy of leadership, friendship, resilience, and Eagle Pride.

🦅 Congratulations to the Bethlehem Central High School Class of 2026!

The entire Bethlehem community is proud of you and wishes each graduate success, happiness, and fulfillment wherever life takes you next.

👏 Join us in congratulating the Class of 2026 in the comments below! 🎓🎉

Read More at: https://www.bethlehemschools.org/congratulations-bchs-class-of-2026/

#BethlehemLocalNews #BCHS2026 #ClassOf2026 #BethlehemCSD #GraduationDay #CongratulationsGraduates #EaglePride #FutureStartsNow #CapitalRegion #BethlehemNY #CommunityProud 🎓🦅💙💛

The problem is:

12 × 2 + 24 ÷ 6 × 4 = ?

Use the Order of Operations:

1️⃣ Parentheses
2️⃣ Exponents
3️⃣ Multiplication & Division — left to right
4️⃣ Addition & Subtraction — left to right

12 × 2 = 24

24 ÷ 6 = 4

4 × 4 = 16

Now the problem becomes:

24 + 16

24 + 16 = 40

Many people get tripped up because they forget that multiplication and division have the same priority, so you work them left to right.

🏆 Answer: 40

Did you solve it in 5 seconds? 👇

How Did We Do This Issue??