All Over Albany

It's cold again, diocese first heard accusations against priest eight years earlier than previously disclosed, suspect in 25-year Saratoga cold case, car crushed by falling snow

Yesterday's high temp was 53. Today's high is forecasted to be 22. [NWS] [NWS]

The Albany diocese said yesterday that it had gotten a complaint about now-convicted priest Gary Mercure in 2000 -- it had previously said it heard the first accusations of abuse in 2008. The diocese says it didn't follow up on the 2000 accusation because the accuser didn't want to follow through and Mercure denied the accusation. [YNN] [TU] [WNYT]

A programming error at the state Department of Taxation and Finance resulted in some families being told they no longer qualify for the STAR property tax exemption. [TU]

The Schenectady city council approved an overtime payout of almost $73k to fire chief Robert Farstad when he retires this spring. Council members say they were "stuck with" having to give the payout because of an old contract. The city's top lawyer cited a letter from the state comptroller's office reporting the payout won't affect the chief's pension (there had been accusation the payout was pension padding). [CBS6] [YNN] [TU]

Republican Peter Guardelli has decided to not run for mayor of Schenectady, and it looks like Republican support could be lining up behind Alliance Party candidate -- and former Union College president -- Roger Hull. Guardelli ran against Brian Stratton in 2003 and came up 300 votes short. [Daily Gazette] [Marv Cermak] [TU]

The Albany police officer accused of DWI after he was allegedly found sleeping in his car on I-787 in December has his license back after the arresting officer didn't show up for a DMV hearing. [TU]

Saratoga Springs police say they've identified a suspect in the disappearance of Tammie McCormick, a 13-year-old who was last seen in 1986. [WNYT]

The state is increasing the penalty for being caught talking on your mobile phone while driving, starting this Wednesday. [Saratogian]

Administrators at the Bethlehem school district announced they are forgoing their scheduled raises for the next budget year. The move got a thumbs up from the Cuomo administration, which has been calling attention to school district administration salaries. [Fox23] [State of Politics]

The Schalmont school board voted last night to close two schools because of a budget crunch. [Fox23]

Albany police say they haven't made an arrest in the fatal shooting at a birthday party early Sunday in Arbor Hill, but they're working with party attendees to identify to the shooter. [TU]

Colonie police say the suspect in the Central Ave bowling alley shooting may have been caught on surveillance video. They're still searching for the suspect. [TU] [Troy Record]

The brothers accused attacking, torturing and robbing two women in a Central Ave motel last year have taken a plea deal. [TU]

Saratoga Springs police say two Canadian firefighters were assaulted over the weekend near the Parting Glass after they stopped to talk with two women in a van (map). Two men then allegedly jumped out of the van and attacked the Canadians. The SSPD says it found the van in Wilton. The firefighters were in town for a convention. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]

A Troy woman's car was crushed by snow that fell off a building. [Troy Record]

What is almost-surely the Capital Region's biggest snowman is in Guilderland. [Daily Gazette]