No progress in state Senate, mid-year budget change could be necessary, alleged pharmacy robber nabbed, stimulating the sign economy, hunting for what's left of Henry Hudson

The state Senate had two more in-and-out sessions this past weekend. Negotiations are apparently going on behind the scenes. The big sticking point remains leadership of the chamber -- specifically Pedro Espada's role as president pro tem. David Paterson is reportedly telling Democrats they may just have to get over it. [Newsday] [Daily Politics] [Buffalo News] [NYDN]

State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says it's looking like the state will be short on money later this year -- and a mid-year budget adjustment will probably be necessary. Of course, the would be virtually impossible with the state Senate locked in its current mess. [NYDN]

A state audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Authority reports that the org isn't tracking whether its investment projects are meeting job creation targets and that it's leaving parking money on the table. The authority disputed many of the findings -- and said it's purposefully not charging for parking. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Is it a coincidence that the owner of the construction company with a virtual lock on big projects in the City of Albany is BFF with the mayor and police chief? [TU]

Albany police say they used to DNA evidence to arrest the man who allegedly held up two New Scotland Ave pharmacies with a device constructed to look like an explosive. The DNA was gathered after the first robbery in December -- but the man was only picked up this week after the second robbery. [TU]

A former state worker -- and husband of a state commissioner -- pleaded guilty last week to doing outside consulting on state time. The man has paid back the $18k he made while he was supposedly working at his $88k/year state job. [TU]

New SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher is getting an extra $90k in compensation because she declined use of the system's apartments in New York City and the downtown Albany SUNY headquarters. Zimpher has bought a house in Menands. [TU]

New York State has been posting signs that indicate which projects are being funded with federal stimulus money. Some of the signs cost almost $7,000 each. [Saratogian]

A fire ripped through Hot Dog Charlie's in Troy on Friday. The owner says the location, which makes all the meat sauce for local hot dog chain, will re-open. [CBS6] [TU]

State police say a motorcycle caused a crash on 787 this past weekend after it tried to pop a wheelie at high speed. [CapNews9]

The Hudson River PCB dredging project is being guided by GPS and computer models of the river bottom. [Daily Gazette]

Hannaford made a Greenpeace list of supermarket chains moving to increase the sustainability of their seafood offerings. Price Chopper did not -- though it says it's committed to "environmental stewardship and sustainability in our seafood purchasing habits." (Greenpeace is not a fan of Trader Joe's seafood policies, either.) [Greenpeace][Saratogian][Greenpeace]

Schenectady's first female firefighter -- who was also the department's first Hispanic member -- is retiring. [TU]

The Albany teenager who rescued a baby out from under the wheel of a bus last year on Delaware Ave says he's can barely remember the event now. [TU]

A Siena professor has been searching for the grave of Henry Hudson. The explorer was set adrift by his crew in James Bay (Canada) in 1611 (map). [TU]

Comments

WHAAAA???? Trader Joe's is perfect. F-U Greenpeace. If you don't think Trader Joe's is awesome, then you should check out our online petition showing just how awesome they are!!!!

GASP! Someone is not a fan of Trader Joe's?!?! The horror!! I can hear the TJ's Army assembling as I type this. Greenpeace had better watch out!

Wow. What is that saying about motorcylists making great organ donors? This is a perfect example of why the two have become synonymous.

Everyone knows you don't try to wheelie with a passenger. You do it alone, in a tank top, short shorts, and flip flops!

GAH! I agree Jess!

Say Something!

We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.

What's All Over Albany?

All Over Albany is for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. In other words, it's for you. It's kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who can help you find out what's up. Oh, and our friends call us AOA.

Search

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine