johnstown Archives - The Gloversville Leader Herald

29 May

Early Monday fire rips through 5th Street home in Gloversville

Tyler A. McNeil0 CommentsEmail Newsletter, Gloversville, Local News, The Gloversville Leader Herald5th Street, fire, Gloversville, johnstown, Thomas Groff

GLOVERSVILLE — A raging inferno inflicted irreparable damage on a single-family Gloversville home early Monday, according to officials. All nine occupants of the 5th Street residence — five adults and four children — escaped the blaze without injury. Gloversville and Johnstown fire teams were dispatched to the scene at 12:44 a.m. Before their arrival, flames had "engulfed the second floor, extended into the attic area, and started to drop into the first floor," according to a press release. Calling in additional help, crews attacked the fire from both inside and outside. The blaze, which hasn't been deemed suspicious, took more than…

14 May

Johnstown mayor: 2020 financial report ‘99.9%’ completed

Tyler A. McNeil0 CommentsEmail Newsletter, Johnstown, Local News, The Gloversville Leader HeraldAmy Praught, AUD, AUDs, johnstown, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Treasurer Michael Gifford

JOHNSTOWN — Johnstown Mayor Amy Praught yearns to see a two-year financial weight on her administration soon lifted. The first-term Republican official expects to have annual financial statements (AUDs) for 2020 and 2021, respectively, submitted to the state within the next two weeks and next three months. If approved, Johnstown will be reauthorized to bond for city projects for the first time in more than a year. "I can assure you the day they tell me they've accepted my AUDs, we will be bonding," Praught said about state approval. "We need bonding desperately." In 2021, the state comptroller's office reported…

06 Apr

Children’s clothing store to shutter in Johnstown after decades in business

Tyler A. McNeil0 CommentsJohnstown, Local News, The Gloversville Leader Heraldchildren's clothing store, COVID-19, johnstown, Something Special

JOHNSTOWN — West Main Street will lose Something Special. The decades-old family business in downtown Johnstown is set to close on June 30 due, in part, to sales eroding since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic. "It started after that and just hasn't picked up," said owner Nancy Blanchard. "You can't really compete with the internet anymore." While "looking for something to do," Blanchard took over children's clothing store Elaine’s Kiddie Wear in 1985 and later renamed the establishment to reflect changes in ownership. Something Special moved from a leased storefront on S. Market St. to its current location in…

02 Apr

Three escape Saturday afternoon fire in Gloversville

Tyler A. McNeil0 CommentsGloversville, Local News, The Gloversville Leader Heraldfire, Firefighters, Gloversville, johnstown, N. Main Street

GLOVERSVILLE — Three people escaped a burning building Saturday afternoon in Gloversville. The fire was reported at 207 N. Main Street. It was declared under control near 10 minutes after Gloversville and Johnstown fire battalions showed up, according to officials. There were no injuries, according to a press release. All occupants were evacuated from the building by 12:27 p.m. In a dispatch call at 12:14 p.m. occupants described themselves as "trapped" inside the building. Flames were centralized around the third floor. Further damage was contained by a handline, a manually operated hose. The blaze remained under investigation. Gloversville police and…

22 Mar

Gloversville fire damages vacant West Pine Street building

Tyler A. McNeil0 CommentsEmail Newsletter, Gloversville, Local News, The Gloversville Leader Heraldfire, Fulton County, Gloversville, johnstown, Pine Street

GLOVERSVILLE — Fire crews spent nearly two hours on Tuesday night putting out a structure fire in a vacant Gloversville building. Fire battalions from both of the Glove Cities arrived at 66 W. Pine Street at 7:42 p.m. The two-story unit was under renovation at the time of the blaze. No firefighters were injured. "We went right into the second floor with the line to extinguish the fire," said Gloversville Fire Chief Thomas Groff. The second floor experienced heat, smoke and water damage, according to a press release. The cause is still being probed by both Gloversville and Johnstown fire…

20 Mar

Water meter swap to begin Tuesday in Johnstown; Aim to boost meter accuracy, officials say

Tyler A. McNeil0 CommentsEmail Newsletter, Johnstown, Local News, The Gloversville Leader HeraldGloversville, johnstown, Mayor Amy Praught, water meter replacement

JOHNSTOWN — An $850,000 project aimed at boosting water meter accuracy is set to begin soon in Johnstown. In a test run on Tuesday, city employees will be among the first to have their old meters swapped out by Massachusetts-based contractor Hydro Utilities. Based on the water billing cycle, replacements — more than 3,500 total — will start on the city's southside and end of the northside. City officials believe the new devices from Neptune Technology Group should boost coffers. Faulty heads from Master Meters are costing the city roughly 25% in water revenue streams, according to Mayor Amy Praught.…