Good morning, Schenectady.

Indian Ladder Farms will host its third annual Maple Fest on March 15 and 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine, the event offers vendors, live music, specialty drinks and educational programs that celebrate local maple farms with sweet treats and syrup fun.

The Empire State Youth Orchestra returns to Crossgates Mall on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.—young musicians will perform to raise funds for their music education programs and performance opportunities.

More than two dozen students showed their films on Monday at Scene One Movieland in downtown Schenectady.

The student-produced works from Digital Filmmaking and Documentary classes cover local sports and community events and will include a spring screening at Proctors led by teacher Jim de Sève.

Officials from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services located 56 missing children and teens in Albany, Schenectady and Troy through the first Capital Region Missing Child Rescue Operation.

The operation lasted three days as local, state and federal agencies closed 40 cases in Albany, 11 in Troy and 5 in Schenectady while also locating a missing vulnerable adult in Colonie.

Governor Hochul proposed a one-time $500 check for New York families — Senate Democrats want a plan that gives only seniors a rebate each year for three years.

Both the Assembly and Senate have higher budget proposals than the Governor's $252 million request and will negotiate until the April 1 deadline.

This month marks five years since COVID was declared a pandemic and shutdowns ended, but local leaders say the virus still changed how people work, learn and care for themselves—causing problems like fewer workers and tougher school work.

Reporters are revisiting early stories to show how these long-lasting effects continue to shape our region.

Health advocates warn that a state plan to switch about 250 school-based health centers—including the one at Schenectady High School—from a fee-for-service model to Medicaid managed care could reduce access to basic care for thousands of children.

The change, set to take effect on April 1, may raise costs and force health centers to renegotiate contracts, prompting advocates to urge a pause for further discussion.

5th Annual Scrabble-Rama Fundraiser

9 a.m. — Schenectady High School Cafeteria — Check website for entry fee — Gather your team and flex your word skills in this local Scrabble tournament.

2025 Education Celebration Gala

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Proctors Theatre — Admission supports local education — Celebrate and recognize achievements in Schenectady's education sector.