All Over Albany

Investigation continues into crash that killed three, APD looking for public's help in assault investigation, meals could be happy for New York apples, she's from the place beyond the pines

The Albany County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate why the driver of the SUV in the fatal Vorheesville church crash lost control of the vehicle. The sheriff's office says Toyota is assisting the department in pulling data from the SUV's "black box." Also being investigated: whether prescription drugs played a role, and to what degree a possibly over-sized flip-flop might have gotten caught on the gas pedal. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN]

"John Doe," the boy accused of accidently shooting and killing 12-year-old Nicholas Naumkin in Wilton last December, told a Saratoga Family Court judge yesterday that he was holding the gun when it went off. The boy also told the judge he understood that the gun could be dangerous. The admission was part of a plea deal -- the Saratoga County attorney handling the case said he expected the boy to be sentenced to probation. Said Naumkin's mother of Doe after the hearing: "We're happy with the fact that he finally manned up." [Saratogian] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WTEN]

Philemon Chavis -- the Albany man convicted of brutally attacking and kidnapping his wife -- was sentenced to 19 years in prison. [TU]

A memo from Harry Tutunjian to the Troy city council describes the recently authorized $2.2 million in bonding to renovate the Dauchy Building to become a new city hall as "fatally flawed since it is crafted to bond for a water project, not a rehabilitation/renovation project." Though Tutunjian hasn't formally vetoed the authorization yet, city council president Clement Camapana described the mayor's memo as being essentially that. [Troy Record] [TU]

Albany police say they're looking for the public's help in shaking loose information about the assault on Yates Street last week. (Press release below.) [APD]

Albany police say they've arrested a man for allegedly robbing the Key Bank on Delaware Ave Wednesday morning (map). [Fox23]

Police say they've arrested a second person allegedly connected to the robbery of an North Greenbush credit union Wednesday. They allege Jauwan Giles is a drug dealer who planned the robbery with Jessica Thompson in order to settle a debt Thompson owed him. [Troy Record] [Fox23]

Barack Obama's approval numbers have dipped into the negative in New York State, according to the latest Q Poll. [State of Politics]

Farther afield: the Glens Falls common council approved a $250 fine for people caught smoking in public parks there. [YNN]

An org that cares for retired race horses is buying a farm in Stillwater that could serve as a retirement home for horses -- and a public attraction. [Saratogian]

A horse -- named "Doing Great" -- died during a race at The Track yesterday. [WTEN]

As many as half the apples McDonald's will be including in Happy Meals could come from New York State. [TU]

Mario DiMeo, an Italian immigrant who's been a barber in Schenectady for 41 years, is retiring. [Daily Gazette]

Shannon Plumb, the wife of film director Derek Cianfrance, is from the place beyond the pines. [TU]

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APD Press release

Albany detectives are looking for the public's help as they continue their investigation into the sexual assault and attempted sexual assault that occurred last week.

In the attempted sexual assault that happened this past Saturday morning on Yates Street the suspect might have been injured when the victim fought off his attack. The victim resisted his attack when she came to after being briefly knocked unconscious. She scratched the suspect in the neck area and also bit him on the lower arm/wrist area.

The suspect in that assault is described as a black male, 5'8", slim to medium build. The victim told detectives he had either dreadlocks or braided hair. There is a possibility the suspect might have changed his appearance by cutting his hair.

Anyone who might have come across someone with scratch marks to his neck and possibly a bite mark to his lower arm should contact the Detective Division at 462-8039. You can also text a tip anonymously to TIP411. Just text APDTIP and your tip to TIP411(847411)