All Over Albany

Albany's ghost ticket scandal widens, Tutunjian plans for new city hall, mud flying in Gillibrand replacement race, UAlbany narrows list of potential presidents,

The roster of vehicles eligible for "ghost" parking tickets apparently extends to a "VIP" list of 270 vehicles owned by the government and private citizens. Among those with a park-for-free pass: the head of the Downtown BID, who has previously said that people should expect to pay for parking. Albany police chief James Tuffey says the program has been shut down. [TU] [CBS6]

Nelson Costello, the man accused of murdering David Bacon 40 years ago in Waterford, was indicted yesterday on charges or murder and witness tampering -- he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Authorities say Costello and Bacon were involved in a rivalry over Bacon's then-fiancee -- the woman now lives in Schaghticoke. The Saratoga County DA says Costello was arrested last week in Cohoes after crashing a rental car and then trying to cover up the location of the accident. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]

Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian announced during his state of the city address last night that the city would seeking $22 million of federal stimulus money to build a new city hall on the site of the old one. [TU] [Troy Record]

The council meeting after Tutunjian's address turned into a verbal spat as the council argued with Troy deputy mayor Dan Crawley over the implementation of a new landlord registration law. After a council member accused Crawley of not responding to email, Crawley reportedly shouted: "Not from you. Approach me like a man and quit hiding behind your computer." [Troy Record]

The campaigns for the candidates in the running to replace Kirsten Gillibrand are slinging mud at each other. Jim Tedisco's campaign says Scott Murphy has failed to pay all of the taxes related to one of his former businesses. Murphy's campaign says Tedisco has been improperly charging the state for car expenses. [CBS6]

The Brunswick school psychologist convicted of having sex with one of her teenage clients said yesterday at her sentencing that she was "sick" and her lawyer said she had been in a state of "psychological intoxication." The woman was sentenced to three years in prison. [TU] [Troy Record]

UAlbany has apparently interviewed its finalists for university president -- but the process is being kept secret. The university has already spent more than $300,000 on the president search. [TU]

Three of the five Schenectady police officers who have been on paid leave since 2007 after an alleged incident of excessive force will soon be returning to work. The paid leave has cost the city about $330,000. [Daily Gazette]

Colonie Republican reportedly approached WNYT sports anchor Rodger Wyland about running for town supervisor. He turned them down. [TU]

The man stabbed on Broadway in downtown Saratoga last weekend has been released from the hospital. His two alleged attackers, both from Schenectady, were indicted yesterday. [Saratogian]

The list of victims in the Madoff scam includes a handful of names from the Capital Region. [TU]

It appears that the mail service in Colonie is having a few problems.

The TU has a new publisher. George R. Hearst III replaces Mark Aldam, who's being promoted. At the announcement, the head of Hearst newspapers said he would be back to Albany later to describe "more plans" for the paper. [TU]

The Independent, a twice-weekly newspaper that covered Rensselaer and Columbia Counties, was shut down yesterday. It's owned by the the same company that owns the Troy Record and The Saratogian. [TU]