Tim O'Brien
Times Union
Contact Tim
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Tim:
Study: Exit 11A on Northway unneeded
The cost of building a new exit between Exits 11 and 12 in Malta would be significantly more than making other changes that would have the same impact on reducing traffic congestion, said Michael Franchini, executive director of the Capital District Transportation Committee. The issue of constructing an Exit 11A arose as the result of traffic growth from the construction of the Global Foundries… → Read More
Albany bishop plans his own confession marathon
After the Rev. Bob Longobucco spent 24 hours straight hearing confessions, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger was so impressed, he decided to do the same. Pastor of the Roman Catholic St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Schenectady, Longobucco performed what the church calls the sacrament of reconciliation 130 times on March 4-5. Longobucco said people's desire to confess their sins and receive… → Read More
Hannaford recycling program benefits charities
A new recycling program launched Monday at Hannaford will enable customers to drop off their cans and bottles in bags, then get credit to their account or for a charity they support. Hannaford is working with CLYNK, a business based in Portland, Maine, that has worked with the supermarket chain in its stores in that state. The program enables customers to get bags with a tag that includes a… → Read More
New photos: Rotterdam mall adds entertainment spaces
After years of neglect that left the mall more than half vacant, Via Port USA is investing millions of dollars to open a family entertainment center and aquarium in the mall. [...] they are paying attention to the little things: repainting the ceiling by both those venues with a vibrant sunny sky, making the benches a bright pastel color and keeping the floors spotlessly clean. The fountain pool… → Read More
Cap Com to be first tenant in long-dormant plaza in North Greenbush
Capital Communications Federal Credit Union will became the first tenant in a long-dormant development in North Greenbush. [...] Cap Com has signed the first lease on the property, said Michael Markman, president of property owner BET Investments. A promotional brochure online shows Kohl's, TJ Maxx, Petco, Chipotle and other businesses on site, but Markman said those are not necessarily… → Read More
Family-owned deli chain puts its chips on North Greenbush
The Chenots may be opening their third Jiff-E-Mart convenience store, but the chain is still very much a family affair. Rather than get someone else to operate it, the family ended the auto shop, kept selling gas and put on an addition to sell hot dogs and subs. On Friday, the store was selling gas at $1.79 a gallon as a way to encourage customers to stop. Inside the store, employees are busy… → Read More
Route 5 from Albany to Schenectady taking a grim toll
Five pedestrians killed on Route 5 last year, many hurt despite increased safety efforts Despite ongoing efforts to reduce pedestrian accidents on the 15.4-mile roadway, 172 people were hit between May 2012 and December 2015. Public officials pledged to address the dangerous nature of what is known for most of its length as Central Avenue, making changes to intersections, launching an education… → Read More
Retailers share a bond on Schenectady's upper Union Street
Independent store owners say camaraderie, caring unite them Peter Musler knows his customers so well, he not only tells them when an outfit isn't quite right for them, he stops them from buying one that matches their friend's so they don't show up to a social event in the same clothes. Christopher Mastroianni not only works alongside his father, Michael, he has his own business in the shop, the… → Read More
Colonie's Skylane Motel owner agrees to demolition timeline
The owner of the Skylane Motel agreed Thursday to submit all paperwork for approval of his redevelopment plan within two weeks, and demolition will start within 21 days of approval being granted. The town took the owner back to court, seeking to reinstate hundreds of code violation charges and claiming owner Alex Patel failed to meet the terms of a March 2015 settlement by not demolishing the… → Read More
Mahan: Colonie on track to meet state's fiscal health standards
Colonie on track to meet state's fiscal health standards DiNapoli had listed Colonie as a fiscally distressed community in 2013, citing the small size of its rainy day fund. During the speech to the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce at the Radisson Hotel on Wolf Road, Mahan also said she is committed to fixing the town's infrastructure. The Latham Water District invested $7.5 million since 2014… → Read More
Scott Grimmett named new Price Chopper CEO
The firm said his promotion has been a part of the family-owned company's succession plan since he joined the company in January 2012 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. The design work that we invested in Market Bistro (circa 2010-2014), coupled with the brand-defining innovation that has given rise to our first few Market 32 concept stores has not only laid the groundwork… → Read More
Shaker High School student has a way with birds
Besides working with the wildlife, she said, she loves to take photographs and paint the animals and birds. Muratori began volunteering after her freshman global history teacher, Lauren Palmateer, talked about her own experiences there. The rehabilitation center takes in coyotes, foxes, rabbits, skunks and other animals in addition to owls, hawks, crows, ravens, falcons and other birds. Muratori… → Read More
What to do if you win the Powerball lottery, should you be so lucky
Heck, according to CNN Money, your odds are better to be struck by lightning while drowning, 1 in 183 million. Yeah, you know you're not going to win but who wants to be the dunce left in the office when everyone else hits the jackpot? Some winners have faced lawsuits upon claiming that they bought the lucky ticket separately from the ones they got for the office, and some people have launched… → Read More
Doctor donates 70 acres to keep part of Latham forever wild
Dr. Patricia Fox, a plastic surgeon, donated the land to the Mohawk-Hudson Land Conservancy to give neighbors a respite from the commercial development that surrounds her property. The site is located a short distance from the Northway and less than a mile from Albany International Airport, making it an easily available natural preserve in an area rapidly being filled by commercial development.… → Read More
Four resign from Honest Weight Food Co-op board
"The rest of the group really feels very strongly the member labor program is somehow defensible, and they are willing to defend it," said Deborah Dennis, the immediate past president of the board who is among the four who resigned Tuesday evening. Carolynn Presser, a newly elected board member who now serves as secretary, said any decision to expand or eliminate the member worker program has to… → Read More
New York state DOT unveils larger snow plows
When it finally snows, motorists will see a startling new sight on the road: A giant plow trailing a standard truck that can clear two lanes at once. The state Department of Transportation purchased 62 of the tow plows for statewide use, part of $50 million spent for new winter snow equipment and to prepare for snow emergencies. Wade and DOT spokesman Bryan Viggiani said drivers seeing the new… → Read More
Drones take off but owners must know regulations
The remote-controlled aircraft can be fun to fly and are popular for both hobbyists and business owners. [...] the devices are also raising alarm, stoking fears that they could interfere with airplanes, invade privacy or be put to destructive uses. At Adirondack Train and Hobby in Saratoga Springs, manager Jim Grotto said the drones have been incredibly popular this Christmas. The larger ones… → Read More
TSA shares tips for holiday flights
If you're planning on a flight this Christmas, you can bring a cake aboard — but expect it to be inspected and swabbed. [...] if you've got gifts to bring, it's better to place them in a gift box or bag than to cover them in wrapping paper. Liquids and gels need to be in bottles no bigger than 3.4 ounces, contained in a clear quart size bag, one per person. Modeling clay or Play-Doh might make a… → Read More
Smartphones deals turn store shoppers into buyers
With more and more shoppers using their phones to make purchases or comparison shop, retailers are challenged to find ways to respond to the ever-present smartphone. "The preponderance of their customer base is going to walk in with that phone in his or her hand," said Ted Potriukus, president and CEO of the Retail Council of New York State. Individual retailers have their own apps that send… → Read More
In Albany, Uber meets with potential drivers
On Thursday, Uber invited people to attend a meeting at Wolff's Biergarten to hear about the online app that connects registered riders with drivers who use their own vehicles. Both Uber and Lyft hire third-party vendors to do background checks that trace criminal history going back seven years on the drivers. Riders have to provide identification and a credit card number so that the transaction… → Read More