Stephanie Sorrell-White
Observer-Dispatch
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Past articles by Stephanie:
MVCC president talks reopening amid COVID-19 pandemic
More remote learning. Fewer students on campus. More health checks.College life will take on a different look this fall as campuses adapt to reopening → Read More
Boy, 4, recognized by Herkimer police, troopers for support
After showing his support for police officers back in June, 4-year-old Abel Jones has received some recognition of his own.On Monday, Herkimer police officers presented Abel with a Herkimer police uniform and a miniature vehicle that he can drive around at his home. The gifts were in response to Abel wanting to donate the proceeds from his lemonade stand to the Herkimer Police… → Read More
Enchanted Forest Water Safari to stay closed for season
OLD FORGE – For the first time in its history, Enchanted Forest Water Safari officials announced in a release Friday that it won’t be opening for the season.In the statement, officials said they made "the extremely difficult announcement" to not open for the 2020 season stating that "We invested a lot of time, effort and expense in preparing to open safely and responsibly. Unfortunately, we have… → Read More
Public forum set to discuss reopening Herkimer schools
Parents and community members with questions about exactly how reopening schools in Herkimer will look like in the fall may soon have a better idea.The → Read More
Bill to swap Herkimer parkland approved by state legislators
Two parks in the Village of Herkimer may soon be under different ownership.State Sen. James Seward, R-Oneonta, and state Assemblyman Robert Smullen, R- → Read More
County commits $900,000 to Schuyler Business Park expansion
The Herkimer County Legislature has committed $900,000 for infrastructure development at the Schuyler Business Park with plans for expansion underway. → Read More
Dolgeville appoints Kawryga as interim superintendent
The Dolgeville School Board of Education has appointed an interim district superintendent as the district searches for a full-time replacement.Ted Kawryga, → Read More
Forum explores ‘creative’ ways to support Mohawk Valley tourism
COVID-19 has forced Herkimer County area tourism officials to get creative with their strategies.Such methods were discussed during a recent tourism → Read More
Little Falls police chief search continues
City of Little Falls Mayor Mark Blask said Little Falls Police Chief Ronald Petrie will stay on in his role as the head of the police department until a → Read More
Herkimer Village-Wide Garage Sale set for today
The Herkimer Village-wide Garage Sale, an event that annually attracts dozens of participants and visitors from across the area, will go on this weekend → Read More
Remington Arms to furlough 300 employees
About 300 full-time Remington Arms employees will go on furlough starting Monday, according to a union official.Keith Milligan, vice president of the → Read More
How a contingent budget would impact Dolgeville schools
If the budget fails again and the Dolgeville Central School District has to adopt a contingent budget, how would that impact the students and the → Read More
Dolgeville superintendent resigns
Dolgeville Central School District Superintendent Lynn Rhone is resigning.Rhone, who has been on the job for two years, has submitted her resignation → Read More
Dolgeville school board moves to cover expenses with budget unresolved
As Dolgeville school officials await state guidance on how to proceed after voters ultimately rejected the district’s proposed budget in last month’s election, school board members took action to cover expenses as a new fiscal year starts this month.The Dolgeville Central School Board of Education moved unanimously during a special meeting Tuesday to approve $900,000 in appropriations for… → Read More
SERIES PART 2: Abundance of officers in schools not reassuring to many children of color
During her years at Thomas R. Proctor High School, Muslima Ali remembers police officers watching students leave after every school day.But Ali, a Somali → Read More
SERIES PART 1: Is police presence in schools helping or hurting?
Rome residents have made it clear that they are concerned about safe schools, Peter Blake, superintendent of Rome schools, said.So the board voted in April on increasing security — hiring armed, retired police officers — but not before a lively debate took place, covering issues of safety, social equity, and the concerns of students and families of color, Blake said."By and large, though, the… → Read More
Water Safari in Old Forge preparing for weekend splash
OLD FORGE – Enchanted Forest Water Safari is getting ready to make its first splash of the season this weekend.But don’t get ready to dive in yet."We’re still waiting for the final green light from New York State," said Katie Wojdyla, vice-president and director of marketing at Enchanted Forest Water Safari during a telephone interview Tuesday. "We are planning for Phase 4 to start on Friday, so… → Read More
Coronavirus: School districts see higher voter turnouts
This year’s absentee ballot election for school board and budget votes resulted in higher voter turnouts than previous years for areas throughout the Mohawk Valley.Restrictions for Tuesday’s election were put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19. As a result, statewide voter turnout was "considerably higher" than it has been, with reports suggesting increases at three to eight times higher… → Read More
School districts cite challenges in tallying votes
With only three workers counting approximately 1,300 absentee ballots, Herkimer school officials faced a challenge Tuesday night as they tallied the votes → Read More
Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort adds glamping pods
The flooding that hit Herkimer County last fall and the coronavirus pandemic that broke out worldwide over the past several months both factored into changes at the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort — including four new glamping pockets.The glamping areas were among the additions to the park when it was rebuilt over the last several months, said Renée Scialdo Shevat, owner and president of the… → Read More