All Over Albany

Winter still making an effort, Sweeney says he's deserved what's happened to him, Clinton speaking fee was $200k, fire hits family of 18

This just in: it's snowing, and icing, and generally being wintry. The snow is forecasted to continue through the morning and end around noon. Total accumulation in the Capital Region is expected to be 3-7 inches, with as much as half-inch of ice -- though areas to west and north are expected to end up with totals as high as 1-2 feet. The National Weather Service is predicting travel as "treacherous." Rensselaer County has declared a state of emergency. [NWS] [NWS] [Troy Record]

The Cuomo admin is looking at how it might reduce how the amount of money state employee retirees can knock off their health insurance premiums by using unused sick time. [TU]

There are indications voter fraud may have been going in Troy before the 2009 events that prompted the recent indictments of two officials. [Troy Record]

John Sweeney on the damage caused by his drinking: "Losing a seat in Congress wasn't my biggest loss. It was the loss of myself and the loss of everything that went with it, the harm and hurt I created for people around me who I love and love me." [TU]

The Schenectady woman recently picked on her 9th arrest for DWI can't have her license permanently suspended because her prior convictions are spread out over too long a period. [TU]

Saratoga Springs police say they're looking for a 19-year-old who allegedly broke into a medical office early Sunday while wearing only a pair of shorts, one sock, an a long-sleeve t-shirt. They say they found a broken window and large amount of blood. Police say friends of the teen, Skidmore students, reported him missing yesterday after last seeing him at a party. [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]

UAlbany's student association paid $200k for Bill Clinton's talk at the school last week. [ASP]

The healthcare company that run's the state's health insurance program doesn't have to bid competitively for the contract. [TU]

The State Police employ a rabbi, who has a black SUV with flashing lights and sometimes wears a badge -- even though perhaps he shouldn't. [TU]

A state Assemblyman is proposing legislation that would place a 25 cent tax on plastic shopping bags in New York City. [TU]

Fire destroyed the Colonie home of a family of 18 (six of the kids no longer live there). Two of the family members are part of the volunteer fire department that was called to put out the fire. [Fox23] [WTEN]

There were two stabbings in Troy this past weekend. [Fox23]

Troy police say they've charged a woman with animal cruelty after two puppies she tied outside in the cold died. TPD says the woman said she intended to bring the dogs back in, but she fell asleep. [TU] [CBS6]

Albany police say it appears someone tried to set a fire in the bathroom of the Delaware Ave Price Chopper in Albany. [WNYT]

The Schenectady Metroplex has set up forty "payment in lieu of taxes" arrangements for economic development projects. [TU]

The Schenectady school district is experiencing a small boom in English-as-a-second-language students. In addition to learning English, some of the ESL students are also learning Arabic. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]

Schenectady's Saw Mill Tavern served its last free Sunday meal this past weekend -- a tradition that lasted more than 30 years. [Daily Gazette]

A Saratoga Springs middle school class has been used Skype to talk with a father who's serving in Iraq. [Saratogian]