All Over Albany

Sewer system overloaded, trans-fat ban detailed, two kids use knife to rob Crossgates kiosk, light rail for Capital Region?

The flooding in Albany last week was just a matter of the city's sewer system running out of capacity. Parts of the system date back to the Civil War. Also: the flooding on South Pearl was a secondary effect of the Hackett Blvd back-up. [TU]

Albany County officials have announced that all restaurant food in the county will have to be trans-fat free starting January 1. And by June 2009 all desserts and baked goods will have to be, as well. The ban has some critics calling it an expansion of the "nanny" state. The trans-fat ban was approved in 2007, but the rules were only announced last Friday. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

The state Senate has passed a four percent cap on yearly property taxes increases. David Paterson supports the cap, but Democrats in the Assembly aren't fans. [TU]

A foundation says New York State has the nation's second-highest tax burden. [Biz Review]

Harry Tutunjian has called a special meeting of the Troy City Council to discuss a plan to lease the Verizon Building for use as city hall. (The current city hall is slated to be knocked down.) One city councilman says the mayor's moving way too fast. [TU] [Troy Record]

Albany County will be giving $10,000 to the Albany gun buyback. (Earlier on AOA: The Albany gun buyback: buyer's remorse?) [TU]

Two boys, ages 11 and 12, are accused of stealing sunglasses from a Crossgates kiosk at knife point. [CBS6]

McGeary's, the bar in Albany, is part of a class action law-suit that alleges there's price-fixing and collusion going on among ice suppliers. [Daily Gazette]

A light rail system in the Capital Region would probably cost at least $1 billion. Even so, the idea has supporters, including Kirsten Gillibrand. The Congresswoman would like to see a light rail line that connects Saratoga and Albany. [TU]

At least 20,000 state employees make $100,000 or more a year. And at least 17 make $500,000 or more. [TU]