🌱 Patch AM: How Albany Med’s new visitor limits could change your hospital visits

Good day Albany! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Albany Med’s new visitor limits could change your hospital visits
• What Albany’s new bishop is asking local Catholics to do next
• Which Albany residents were picked up on Colonie warrants this week?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: A little afternoon snow; cold, with a high of 25 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Tuesday: Turning cloudy, temps: high: 28, low: 23.
• Wednesday: Clouds and sun; not as cold, with a high of 42 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Albany Med Health System temporarily changes visiting guidelines due to seasonal illnesses (cbs6albany.com) — Visitors to Albany Medical Center and its sister hospitals will face tighter rules starting Monday, with children under 12 and anyone showing flu-like or respiratory symptoms temporarily barred from inpatient areas. Only two visitors are allowed at a bedside at once, and the system is stressing hand hygiene to curb seasonal viruses and protect patients and staff across the Albany Med Health System.
   

2. Albany's new bishop tells faithful to ‘have the courage to proclaim your Messiah to all' (osvnews.com) — Catholics in the Albany Diocese have a new leader as Bishop Mark W. O’Connell was installed as the 11th bishop of Albany during a packed Mass in Clifton Park. He urged local clergy, lay leaders, and parishioners to embrace their callings, reject negativity, and boldly share their faith while helping rebuild and strengthen the diocesan community.
   

3. Colonie Warrant Arrests - Week of December 17 (dailygazette.com) — Several Albany residents were recently arrested or turned themselves in to Colonie police on outstanding warrants, mostly for failing to appear in court. The cases include shoplifting-related charges at local retailers and traffic-related offenses, with defendants processed, arraigned, or turned over to neighboring departments. Albany readers may recognize familiar courts, stores, and nearby towns in these incidents.
   

4. State Selects Genesis House for Grant to House Homeless (tapinto.net) — From Albany, state officials announced $45.9 million in conditional grants to expand supportive housing and services for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, including veterans, older adults, and survivors of domestic violence. The funding, through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, will back projects statewide like Genesis House of Olean, aiming to pair affordable homes with on-site support so more residents can move from crisis to long-term stability.
   

5. Suspect arrested in Halfmoon restaurant burglary (cbs6albany.com) — A man from Albany has been charged in connection with a recent restaurant burglary in Halfmoon, where a glass door was broken and money was allegedly targeted. Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the 30-year-old on felony burglary and criminal mischief counts, plus a misdemeanor larceny charge, and he was arraigned and released pending further court action.
   

📸 Around Albany

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Albany

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 16

• UREC Board Meeting
  The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence , 194 Livingston Avenue , Albany
  12:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Commission on Monuments and Public Art
  Albany, NY Calendar Albany, NY 12207
  5:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  The Venue , 65 Congress St , Cohoes
  6:00 pm
• Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings
  The Venue , 65 Congress St , Cohoes
  8:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Albany, NY
  Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center 62 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Library Closing Early @ 3pm
  Menands Public Library , 4 N. Lyons Ave. , Menands

📣 Albany Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 15

• Winter Concert (Part 1- Hallelujah!)
  Colonie Central High School Albany, NY 12205
  7:00 pm
• CCHS Winter Concert (Part 1- Hallelujah!)
  South Colonie Csd Albany, NY 12205
  7:00 pm
• Sammy Obeid
  Funny Bone , 1 Crossgates Mall Rd #K - 206 , Albany
  7:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Elementary PTA Sponsored Cookies, Crafts, and Clause Night
  Rensselaer City SD Rensselaer, NY 12144
  5:30 pm
• Family Child Care Orientation and Info Session- December 2025
  Brightside Up , 91 Broadway , Menands
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Elementary Winter Concert
  Rensselaer City SD Rensselaer, NY 12144
  6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Albany PatchAM possible:

• Meyers Advisory — (516) 428-3678
  INSTANT and CLEAR financials

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
  Scooby was LOST on December 13, 2025 in Albany, NY 12203 near Country rd near Schoolhouse rd Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or… (Nextdoor Western Ave)
• I’m relatively new to the Capitol District and have a question.
  Is there a law or ordinance that says stop signs do not mean stop? (Nextdoor Buckingham Lake - Crestwood)

• DOCCS honors the memory of the 43 colleagues who have died in the line of duty since 1861. Today, on December 13, 1976, New York City Parole Officer... (X: NYSDOCCS)
• “Film and television production remains an integral part of New York’s economy. ... I ... thank Governor Hochul for signing my legislation that will... (X: NYSenDems)

• The Walt Disney Company posted a job opening for Youth Activities Counselor in Albany. Apply here.
• Stewart's Shops posted a job opening for Shop Care/Janitorial in Albany. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Albany here.

Ok Albany! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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