All Over Albany

Capital Region in line for millions in federal aid, APD sergeant fired, Pastor Charlie wins $30k prize, ice cream trucks return to Niskayuna

Capital Region counties are in line to get millions in Medicaid funding as part of the $2.6 billion in federal aid that it appears New York State will be getting (pending approval by the US House of Representatives). Aid for school districts is also part of the package, though there are some questions about how much the money will help local districts. And the state's budget directors says the money won't head off the planned state employee layoffs. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU]

It sounds like the state Senate is in no hurry to sign off on the Genting New York bid for the Aqueduct racino project. The deal also needs the OK from David Paterson and Sheldon Silver. (Money from the deal would be used to prop up NYRA, which runs the Saratoga Race Course.) [Daily Politics] [Saratogian]

The City of Albany fired police sergeant Peter McKenna yesterday after an arbitrator found him guilty on multiple disciplinary charges. The charges were related to the events surrounding the arrest of an off-duty detective for DWI in 2009. [YNN] [TU] [CBS6]

Michael Mosely, the North Greenbush man accused of killing Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley, has pleaded not guilty. Said Mosley's attorney after the arraignment: "Simply stated, he didn't do it, and we don't know who did. I dare say, neither does the Rensselaer County District Attorney's office." Two other men had originally been charged with the crimes. [Fox23] [Troy Record]

Victory Christian Church pastor Charlie Muller won the $30,000 prize from that Sears contest -- but the charity designated to get the money, the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, is such bad shape it might not be able to accept the donation. [Troy Record] [TU]

The church that took over the former YMCA building on Washington Ave in Albany has re-opened the center. [WNYT]

The conversation continues over the proposed expansion of a trash transfer station in Troy's Stow Farm neighborhood. [Troy Record]

There's some early discussion about residential parking permits in Troy. [TU]

The proposed construction of another apartment building on Route 9 in Wilton prompts complaints about the creation of "a canyon" along the road. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]

A Schenectady man is accused of quite the trifecta: DWI, DWI with someone else's kid in the car (not seatbelted), and attempted bribery. [Daily Gazette]

It seems Rick Lazio would prefer to not talk about Carl Paladino. [State of Politics]

Roy McDonald is proposing that the state Senate restrict its voting to the hours between 8 am and 8 pm. [TU]

A Schenectady Police Department crime analyst is helping the African country of Lesotho develop HIV/AIDS policy. [TU]

It looks like the Tiny Tot Land playground in Schenectady's Central Park will end up being closed for almost the entire summer because of poorly-installed rubberized surface. [Daily Gazette]

Ice cream trucks will be operating on the streets of Niskayuna today for the first time in more than 30 years. [Fox23]

After informally putting The Orchard up for sale, the Noonan family has decided to keep running the Albany landmark restaurant. [TU]

The Whitney Gala returns after a one year hiatus tonight at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga. [YNN]

Funny Cide is vacationing in Saratoga. [WNYT]

A ring, lost in Moreau Lake 17 years ago, found its way back to its owner. [Post-Star]