All Over Albany

Saratoga Springs police investigating death of college student, Cuomo reportedly planning push on same-sex marriage, arrest in Center Square attack, two alleged grocery robberies

Saratoga Springs police say they're investigating how the body of Alexander Grant ended up submerged in four feet of water in the Putnam Creek. The 19-year-old was last seen early Sunday morning on security video at a nearby medical office wearing just shorts, a long-sleeve t-shirt and one sock after he reportedly left a house party earlier in the night. The SSPD says Grant had probably been drinking, but toxicology reports will take a few weeks. Police say the case is not closed and they haven't ruled anything in or out. Said chief Chris Cole: "Bottom line is we need to find out what kind of condition he was in that caused him to act like he did." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [WNYT]

The body of David Mark, an Albany resident who had been missing in Boston, was found on the shore of a river in East Boston. His parents said he was headed to see a sister in Boston, but never met up with her. He was last seen at bar new Fenway last Wednesday. [Boston Globe] [Newton Patch] [Boston Herald]

The EPA announced it's adding the Dewey Loeffel Landfill site in Rensselaer County to its Superfund National Priorities List (map). The site is contaminated with PCBs (and other toxic stuff). The first order to clean up the dump came in 1968, and the state took over the project in 1980. Says a member of a grassroots group pushing for a cleanup of the site: "... the EPA has more teeth so hopefully they will bite a little harder." [EPA] [EPA] [TU] [Troy Record]

Andrew Cuomo is reportedly holding a "confidential" session with gay-rights activists today to plan strategy on a push for same-sex marriage in the state. [NYT]

As for governor-Food Network star marriage, Albany's Catholic bishop says it's a private matter between individuals and pastors. [NYT]

Albany police say they've arrested a man for allegedly attacking a woman just off Lark Street in Center Square this past weekend. The man is a Niskayuna resident who is on parole for a robbery conviction in the Bronx. The APD says a car illegally parked near Washington Park led them to the man. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]

The fourth Skidmore student involved in the Compton's incident has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. [Saratogian]

State police say they arrested a man for allegedly assaulting a security guard and customer while trying to steal more than $550 worth of groceries from the Price Chopper in Malta last week. In East Greenbush, police say they're looking for a man who allegedly stole about $500 of food from a Hannaford yesterday. [Saratogian] [CBS6]

A man who temporarily got hold of money ("robbed" doesn't seem to be exactly the right word in this situation) from a Saratoga bank with a note that read "Give me all your money and God will love you," has been sentenced to time served and parole. [Post-Star]

Rensselaer County exec Kathy Jimino, criticizing state leaders in her state of the county speech: "This is a war that we as a county have waged for years while our leaders, namely the state government, whose fiscal decisions through program shifting, unfunded mandates and runaway programs affect each and every one of us, are safely away from the combat zone." [Troy Record]

The Rensselaer County Clerk reports his office had a surplus of almost $637k last year. [TU]

The Averill Park school district says it has to cut 60 positions -- as well as programs such as before- and after-school care -- in order to close its budget gap. Said one school board member: "I'm in shock." [WNYT] [YNN] [TU]

Malta's town board has approved a master plan for the town center, which includes dense commercial development -- but caps building heights at 3 or 4 stories. (There had been an ongoing debate in the town about whether it should plan for a dense town center, or try to stay more hamlet-like). [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]

Says a prominent local defense attorney of sex cases in which prosecutors say they're offering a plea deal because they want to spare the victims from testifying: "That's usually the company line for 'something's wrong with our case.' Usually, even if it's going to be difficult or emotionally trying for a complainant to testify, they usually do it anyway." [TU]

In Schenectady, the high school sends attendance deans to homes to get tardy students to school. [Daily Gazette]

The Green Island building inspector has concluded the 140-year-old R.K. Freedman building is too fire damaged to save. [Troy Record]

Part of Route 9 near Saratoga Springs was squeezed to one lane this morning so a tractor trailer on its side in the snow could be righted (really, this is all about the accompanying photo). [Saratogian]