🌱 Patch AM: How Swifty’s bounced back after a multimillion-dollar state tax seizure

Cheers Albany! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Swifty’s bounced back after a multimillion-dollar state tax seizure
• Which metal heavyweights are launching their 2026 tour in Albany?
• Why Albany officials are demanding answers over school “timeout” boxes

Also on today's calendar: Dave & Buster's New Year's Eve Celebration.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Sunny and breezy, with a high of 34 and low of 30 degrees.
• Tuesday: Snow, 1-3", temps: high: 35, low: 34.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 39 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Swifty's reopens in Colonie, Delmar following tax seizure by NYS (news10.com) — From an Albany dateline, residents learn that Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub has reopened its Colonie and Delmar locations with a limited menu after a state tax seizure earlier this month. The owner admits mishandling tax obligations, while community members across the Capital Region have rallied to support affected workers as questions remain about hours and the Utica site.
   

2. All That Remains Announce Spring 2026 U.S. Headlining Tour With Born Of Osiris And Dead Eyes (rttnews.com) — Albany metal fans will get first crack at All That Remains’ 2026 U.S. headlining tour when it kicks off April 29 at Empire Live. The band, touring behind their latest album “Antifragile,” will be joined by Born of Osiris and Dead Eyes before heading to other East Coast and Midwest cities.
   

3. Hochul calls for action after 'timeout' boxes found at NY schools (timesunion.com) — From Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul is pressing the state Education Department to swiftly investigate disturbing reports of wooden “timeout” boxes used to confine students in the Salmon River Central School District near the Canadian border. The department has ordered the boxes removed, launched visits and reviews, and local authorities and the district itself are pursuing investigations after intense parent backlash.
   

4. Governor Hochul signs prison reform package into law, aims for transparency and oversight (cbs6albany.com) — From Albany, Governor Hochul has signed a 10-bill prison reform package that boosts oversight, transparency, and camera use in New York’s correctional facilities. The law funds the state Commission of Correction, requires a study of deaths in custody, and mandates at least one formerly incarcerated commissioner, while the corrections officers’ union warns the changes could unfairly burden staff and worsen staffing problems.
   

5. Vigil and protest highlight homelessness crisis on winter solstice (cbs6albany.com) — Albany residents and advocates gathered at the State Capitol on the winter solstice to honor people who have died while homeless and demand a state of emergency as temperatures drop. Local organizers pushed for policy changes and even proposed using the former St. Rose campus for temporary housing and services, while remembering individuals like 21-year-old Dajohn Woodberry Jr., found near Albany International Airport.
   

📸 Around Albany

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Albany

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 24

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

Thursday December 25

• Library Closed
  Menands Public Library , 4 N. Lyons Ave. , Menands

Wednesday December 31

• Dave & Buster's New Year's Eve Celebration
  Dave & Buster's Albany , 1 Crossgates Mall Rd , Albany
  9:00 pm

📣 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 22

• Senior Fitness
  Guilderland, NY Calendar , 141 Bavarian Way , Altamont
  10:30 am
• Music Together (ages 0-5)
  East Greenbush Community Library , 10 Community Way , East Greenbush
  11:30 am
• Healthy Bones
  Guilderland, NY Calendar , 141 Bavarian Way , Altamont
  1:30 pm
• Do you qualify for benefits from the Veterans’ Administration? Veterans Benefits Adviser will be available on 4th Monday of the month, 1st come, 1st served
  Bethlehem, NY Calendar , 445 Delaware Avenue First Floor , Delmar
  1:30 pm
• CCHS Winter Concert (Snow Date)
  CCHS Albany, NY 12205
  7:00 pm
• Winter Concert (Snow Date)
  Colonie Central High School Albany, NY 12205
  7:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Weekly Luncheon
  Guilderland, NY Calendar , 141 Bavarian Way , Altamont
  11:30 am
• Bingo/Rummikub
  Guilderland, NY Calendar , 141 Bavarian Way , Altamont
  12:30 pm
• Nimblefingers
  Voorheesville Public Library. , 51 School Rd , Voorheesville
  1:00 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

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I need help finding my furry friend!
  He’s a black, brown and white Shih-Poo named Boss. Last seen on First st between north lake and Judson St. (Nextdoor Sheridan Hollow)
• Another plea for this sweet girl.
  This sweet girl is still in need of a loving home. She is currently with a foster but really needs to find her forever home. Great with kids, and… (Nextdoor Wall St)

• Brining in Warren County. Truck is loaded with salt water instead of salt: (X: NYSDOTAlbany)
• With crime on the rise in recent years in Syracuse’s south side neighborhood, people from all over the community are working for change in the city... (X: SpecNews1Albany)

• Restaurant Depot posted a job opening for Stocker - Produce in Albany. Apply here.
• Trinity Health Corporation posted a job opening for Medical Billing / Rev Cycle Analyst – Ortho Team - Albany - 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 feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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