Daniel Zuckerman is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media fiber optic internet service is up and running in Athens. State Telephone started connecting customers October 1. The company, with a coverage area from Coeymans to Athens, received two state grants totaling $10.8 million to complete the project. State Telephone now has 1,200 fiber customers in Athens, Coxsackie and New Baltimore. The Athens Town Board is currently working with Clifton Park-based Ryan Biggs Associates to renovate the existing town and village building in an effort to make it more "technology-savvy," Athens Town Supervisor Robert Butler Jr. said. A ribbon cutting, dedication and grand opening of State Telephone's new distribution center at Union and Vernon streets will be held 11 a.m., October 27. A reception at Crossroads Brewery will follow at noon. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.