Some of the stories that made the news, Jan. 10 through Jan. 13:

Ariel Zangla reported in the Daily Freeman Greene County lawmakers have given their initial approval for a contract to install a steel communications tower on property provided by Windham Mountain. During a meeting Wed., Jan. 8, the legislature’s Public Safety Committee approved a resolution awarding a construction bid to CDE Electric of Cairo. The resolution must still be approved by the full Legislature, which meets Wednesday. The tower is intended to help improve emergency services communications in the county. It would be located on property that is part of Windham Mountain’s operations, but located in the town of Jewett. Windham Mountain deeded the acre of property to the county.

Kristen V. Brown reported in the Times Union New York has one of the nation's highest increases in funding for prekindergarten programs in its 2013-2014 fiscal year, according to an analysis the Education Commission of the States. The non-partisan research group's report shows that across the country, states are making major investments in pre-K programs. In most states, funding surpassed pre-recession levels. In his State of the State address earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for universal pre-K in the state, echoing a major campaign platform of new New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Only South Carolina, Michigan and Texas exceeded New York in pre-K spending increases. Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail Catskill Central School District received notification from the State Education Department that its grant application to fund pre-K on a full-day basis has been approved. The Office of Early Learning notified the district of the award by e-mail on Dec. 23, and Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Farrell said last week the $61,475 grant will cover the full cost of an all-day pre-K classroom from January to June of this year.

Jessica Mosier reported in The Daily Mail the Greenville Central School District Board of Education was presented last week with the details of that district's proposed $10.3 million capital construction project. The District Planning Committee has put forward a sewer, roof, security, technology and energy project, which includes major upgrades to the sewer system, technology infrastructure and temperature control system. The project will also include new roofs on the elementary, middle and high schools, as well as an upgrade to the district's transportation facility. District voters will be asked to ratify the project and authorize the creation of a Capital Reserve Fund, Tues., March 2.

Diane Valden reported in the Columbia Paper interested citizens of Copake and vicinity gathered at the Methodist Church House Sat., Jan. 4, to talk about a plan to re-open the hamlet's general store with a new business plan, a new name and a new outlook. The store was closed in November. The new store, named the Copake Front Porch Market, will provide fresh food and pantry staples at affordable prices. While the market will provide general store basics, it also will serve as an outlet for the products of local farmers. The market group has raised $50,000 of the $90,000 needed to open. The market is expected to open in March.