All Over Albany

Closing arguments today in Bailey murder trial, Colonie salon's alleged recidivism rubs cops the wrong way, Albany schools face $5 million gap

Richard Bailey murder trial A handwriting expert testifying for the prosecution said the letters allegedly sent by De Von Callicut from prison did match Callicut's handwriting. Callicut's attorney called Ricardo Caldwell -- whom prosecutors said served as a lookout -- back to the stand as she argued that Caldwell and King Modest -- another alleged lookout -- were actually responsible for the shooting. Closing arguments in the case are scheduled for today. [TU] [Fox23] [Fox23]

A Rensselaer County court jury convicted Paul Walker Jr. for the shooting of a Hoosick Street pizza shop manager in June 2009. He faces up to 30 years in prison. [TU] [Troy Record]

The final list for state employee layoffs includes 891 people -- though not all of them will end up being let go. Both PEF and CSEA were predictably irked. [TU] [PEF] [CSEA]

Jerry Jennings vetoed the Albany budget amendments that funded Public Bath No. 2 and would have cut $95k in overtime. Of the public pool, the mayor said: "We're talking over $225,000 a year. And that's too much money to spend on a very small number of people that use it." [TU] [YNN]

A Colonie massage salon was busted for the third time on allegations of prostitution. Police say they're frustrated because the salon's owner managed to get out of the previous arrest with a $375 fine -- only $55 more than what cops spent on massages as part of a sting operation. Colonie officials say they're trying to figure out if they can shut the operation down some other way. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]

Andrew Cuomo has apparently signaled that a property tax cap will be one of his top priorities. [NYT]

A law firm representing one of its own attorneys during an investigation by the state attorney general's office gave Andrew Cuomo's gubernatorial campaign $45k a few months after their attorney was subpoenaed. [NYDN]

David Paterson vetoed the bill that would have temporarily banned hydro-fracking -- but issued an executive order that restricts the drilling. [TU] [State of Politics]

The Albany school district is facing a $5 million midyear budget gap. [TU]

The Albany County DA's office back on the Signature Pharmacy steroids case -- at least, temporarily. [TU]

Troy police say a man was shot in the foot Friday afternoon in the parking lot of a Stewart's in North Central (map). As of Sunday, no arrests had been made. [Troy Record] [Troy Record]

Colonie police say a guy who was delivering Chinese food Friday night was robbed -- and then followed his attackers, providing info that led to the arrest of a suspect. [TU]

An Albany police officer was arrested for alleged DWI early Saturday morning in Menands. [CBS6]

A state ad campaign running on billboards and buses around the Capital Region is promoting acceptance of African-American men who are gay. [Daily Gazette]

Residents of a steep street in South Troy say every year there are crashes on the street in icy weather because the city doesn't treat the road fast enough. [WNYT]

Thrift stores say the recession has prompted an increase in business. [Troy Record]

Schenectady County acquired 12 more acres for the Plotterkill Preserve. [Daily Gazette]