Shooting in Troy, school board revises bike-to-school ban, state's high court hears same-sex marriage cases, state grants millions for Albany hotel redevelopment
Troy police say a man was shot in the head last night in South Troy (map). They say they're looking for a male suspect. The victim was in critical condition last night. [CapNews9] [Troy Record] [CBS6]
An indictment against Chad Rubin, the convicted bank robber accused of plotting to kidnap former Rensselaer County DA Patricia DeAngelis, alleges that the man planned a robbery of the same bank to finance his alleged plot. He's also accused of plotting to kill bank employees and members of the prosecutor's office. An attorney from outside the public defender's office had to be found to represent Rubin because the indictment alleges that he made threats against people in that office, too. The current Rensselaer County DA said yesterday that he thought Rubin probably wouldn't have been able to carry out the alleged plot. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [Fox23]
Matthew Whalen, the Lansingburgh High School honors student and Eagle Scout who was suspended for having a pocket knife in an emergency kit in his locked car in the school's parking lot, appeared on Fox News yesterday. The Lansingburgh school superintendent said yesterday that he thought Whalen's 20-day suspension was "appropriate and fair." The district says it has a "zero tolerance" policy on weapons. [WTEN] [FoxNews] [TU] [Troy Record]
The New York Civil Liberties called for the state Department of Health to suspend the requirement that all health care workers get flu shots. The four nurses suing the state over the issue are planning a protest at the Capitol today. The state health commissioner said yesterday that the flu shot mandate is in the interest of patients, communities and health care workers. [NYT] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
The Saratoga Springs school board has revised its ban on biking to school. The new rule allows kids to ride to school, though with a number of qualifications. That didn't go over well with the mother of the boy who's been riding to school in protest of the ban. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
The state Court of Appeals -- New York's highest court -- heard arguments yesterday in two cases over whether the state should recognize same-sex marriages from other states. [NYT]
Jerry Jennings yesterday at the Capitol: "The city of Albany has for generations faced the inequities of having significant portions of its tax base exempt from taxation -- largely as a result of state ownership."
The 19-year-old accused of shooting UAlbany student Richard Bailey last year pleaded not guilty at his arraignment yesterday. [CapNews9]
Albany County legislators voted 35-2 in favor a building a new county nursing home. County exec Mike Breslin has proposed closing the home and placing residents in private facilities. [TU]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is moving to ban the use of a material that contributes 10 percent of the mercury pollution emitted by the LaFarge cement plant in Ravena. [TU]
Cohoes' proposed budget includes a 3.85 percent tax increase. [Troy Record]
John Sweeney has reportedly had his driver's license suspended for a year and a half. Sweeney was charged with DWI back in April. [WNYT]
The state has awarded $4 million in funding for the renovation of the Dewitt Clinton Hotel at State and Eagle in downtown Albany. The new version of the building is expected to have 200 guest rooms. The the building's owner is more than $600k behind on taxes and other fees. [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [TU]
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I'm still shocked at the Saratoga Springs School District's bike ban in the first place. The trick to allowing students to commute more safely isn't by restricting their options, but through greater awareness on the part of the motoring public. I hate to pull out the "I studied abroad and I know the right way to do things now" card, but I was in Denmark, and more people bike to work than drive in Copenhagen. Granted, there's brilliant bike infrastructure in place, but the responsibility falls into the hands of motorists. Step up traffic patrols by the schools and start encouraging cycling again.
(If anybody is interested in adopting their own holier-than-thou views toward cycling, I'm going to enthusiastically plug Copenhagenize.com. Very insightful, in my opinion.)
... said Pete on Oct 14, 2009 at 10:45 AM | link
So, $4m for the DeWitt Clinton, but Wellington Row just gets razed after years of efforts on the behalf of historical societies to save it. Interesting.
I also find it funny ("hmmm" funny not "ha ha" funny) that people feel the need to point out that the kid with the pocketknife is OMG an eagle scout! While I think the suspension is an overreaction, you could also say that he's a member of a homophobic, religious, paramilitary youth organization. But that doesn't sound quite as wholesome, or WASPy. Says this WASPy ex-scout.
... said B on Oct 14, 2009 at 11:05 AM | link
Oh sweet, thanks to your comment B, Google Ads is now displaying a nice banner in this page encouraging me to know more about Dianetics and Scientology. Nice job :)
... said -S on Oct 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM | link
Unfortunately, our schools are not the only ones with irrationally strict no-weapons policies:
First grader suspended for 45 days
... said Summer on Oct 14, 2009 at 2:10 PM | link