All Over Albany

State Police dodge questions about raises, Troy police officer arrested, more plans for residential development in downtown Albany, someone's missing out on almost $49 million

The Albany snow emergency ended early -- it was canceled at 8 am this morning. [City of Albany]

A top State Police official dodged questions yesterday about the raises that he and other top officials got at the end of last year. [WNYT]

A Troy police officer has been arrested on charges that he inappropriately touched an employee at the Price Chopper in Lansingburgh while working there off-duty -- in uniform (the TPD says he wasn't authorized to do that). Troy police are moving to fire the officer. The head of the Troy PBA says the officer denies the charges. [Troy Record] [YNN] [WTEN] [Fox23]

An Albany man has been arrested on allegations he hired two men to abduct Steven Jackson, the man authorities say was kidnapped from a residence off New Scotland Ave so he could be interrogated about information related to a drug deal (in this case, reportedly 500 pounds of pot) (map). [TU]

Rensselaer County exec Kathleen Jimino says mandate reform has to be part of a property tax cap. She says 89 percent of the county's tax revenue goes toward state-mandated programs. [TU] [Troy Record]

Troy police say there was a drive-by shooting early Thursday evening in The Hill neighborhood (map). One person was hit in the leg. [Troy Record] [YNN]

Troy police say they think the shooting in a 4th Street residence this week was a drug deal gone bad. [WTEN]

The Town of Colonie's top paid employee last year was a police investigator, at $121,658.75. [TU]

Some of the unions that represent employees the Momentive plant in Waterford are on strike over what they say was the improper discipline of an employee (the giant rat made an appearance). The company says the employee was suspended for a "significant safety violation." [Troy Record] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]

Despite all the warnings, there are still people who say they don't hear about the Albany snow emergencies. [TU]

There continues to be talk about the Dauchy Building possibly becoming the new Troy city hall. [Troy Record]

The Humans have launched a "hazing" offensive in the War on Crows. Unrelated (perhaps): the state DEC is investigating crow deaths in Albany. From earlier: A dossier on our crow invaders. [TU] [TU]

The former Skyline/Big House building on Sheridan Ave in downtown Albany is slated for an apartment conversion project (map). [TU]

The cross country ski trails at Spa State Park are benefiting from a new groomer. [Daily Gazette]

There was a $48.8 million Powerball ticket sold at a Wilton Stewart's in late December -- and it's still unclaimed. [Daily Gazette]