All Over Albany

More local school children living in poverty, uproar over Albany County proposed budget, high school students building political networking site

The percentage of students living in poverty in many local school districts has increased by double digits during the recession. [TU]

At an Albany County Legislature hearing last night, heads of municipalities said they are concerned that cuts to services could negatively affect their communities. Many are also upset over the proposed 19.2 percent increase. To pass the budget as is, the county will have to override the 2 percent tax cap. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]

The Capital Region Economic Council made another pitch for its plan to spur development in the area economy yesterday, and focused on plans that would not require funding from the state (unlike items such as the $25 million supercomputer for proposed for RPI). [Daily Gazette]

A pedestrian was struck and killed near Exit 4 of the Northway and police are trying to figure out what happened. [TU] [Fox23]

A man was shot in the arm as he walked out of a Schenectady grocery store on Tuesday afternoon. [Daily Gazette]

Friends say the man shot and killed while driving in Albany's South End neighborhood early Tuesday morning was headed to get something to eat with friends. [TU]

The trial of the three men accused of kidnapping and killing a pot dealer in Albany's New Scotland neighborhood last year has ended in a mistrial (and partial verdict) after 36 hours of jury deliberation. [TU]

A 60-year-old registered sex offender in Troy has been accused of abusing a 15-year-old boy. [Fox23] [YNN]

An off-duty Albany police officer caught a man breaking into a house. [Fox23]

Members of the union that represents sheriff's employees in Rensselaer County allege the union has illegally spent dues, never held membership meetings, and ignored its own rules. [Troy Record]

Albany residents are wondering how the US Postal Service can justify closing the Academy Station post office when so many have just moved their business there because of other post office closures. A member of the Common Council called that post office "the heart and soul of the neighborhood." [TU] [YNN]

SEFCU has donated a new van to Meals on Wheels to replace the one that was stolen last week. [YNN]

Owners of local stores have increased security measures as shoplifting has increased over the holiday season. [Daily Gazette]

Two Saratoga Springs High School students are developing a social networking site for people who like to talk politics. [Saratogian]