Deal to avoid state worker layoffs reportedly coming together, police say men posed as cops, questions about Alive at Five alcohol testing, McCafe coming soon

"People briefed on details" tell the TU that the state worker unions and the Paterson administration are working on a deal that would avoid the planned layoffs -- by offering $20k buyouts to employees near retirement and adding a new tier to the state pension system. [TU]

A bill that would legalize mixed martial arts fighting in New York State made it of Assembly committee yesterday, despite the opposition of local Assemblymen Bob Reilly and Jack McEneny. "Violence begets violence," said Reilly. A vote in the full Assembly is expected this session. [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]

The "project labor agreement" that will guarantee union wages on the Luther Forest chip fab construction was officially announced yesterday. The agreement includes a no-strike pledge from local unions. GlobalFoundries has said it was waiting for such an agreement to be in place before starting construction. The project could include as many as 1,900 construction jobs. [Daily Gazette] [Biz Review] [Post-Star]

Troy police say two men posed as cops and used a starter's pistol to briefly kidnap two teenagers yesterday. The incident might have had something do with the men having their supply of free coffee at a Dunkin Donuts cut off. One of alleged kidnappers once posed as a cop back in the 90s -- for altruistic reasons. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CBS6] [TU]

Rensselaer County exec Kathy Jimino says she'll be running for re-election this fall. She's already served two four-year terms. [Troy Record]

The disciplinary hearings for the six Schenectady cops slated to be fired will be open to the public. [Daily Gazette]

Police say a fight at a Schenectady school yesterday ended up with a teacher injured and a student arrested. [Daily Gazette]

How do you break into a rodeo store? With a shotgun. [Saratogian]

Schenectady has saved $40k on its garbage bill this year because people have been better about putting paper in their recycling bins. [Daily Gazette]

Legal experts say the APD's planned alcohol testing at Alive at Five may -- or may not -- be constitutional. [TU]

The next re-development frontier in Schenectady: the western end of State Street. [TU]

Many local McDonald's are being re-built. Among the planned features in the buildings. a McCafe. [TU]

Comments

Use retirement incentives to reduce the state workforce through attrition rather than lay people off? Why didn't anyone think of that before!?

Um, this show tonight sounds awesome:


The Stolen Minks

51 3rd Street, Thursday

“Halifax’s answer to the Gossip and the Detroit Cobras” (according to The Montreal Mirror) make a window-rattling appearance in downtown Troy this evening. The Stolen Minks are a three-piece, all-girl garage-rock band—if that description excites you in the least, you’ll be more than pleased by what they have to offer. They channel the raw electricity of the early Kill Rock Stars bands, paired with the pop sensibilities of Nova Scotians like Jale and Thrush Hermit. The band will share tonight’s bill with Baltimore act Hollywood, Portland, Ore.’s the Mean Jeans, and Troy garage-pop upstarts the Cave Weddings. (June 4, 9 PM, $5, 51 3rd St., Troy, 573-7947)

re: the fake cops thing. The victims weren't teenagers (or at least one of them wasn't). One of them is my employee...heard the whole story whilst I was clearing his schedule for a good old talk with the DA....Yikes!

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