All Over Albany

Thousands of public comments on fracking, prosecutors allege Moore had involved with home invasion, inmates staffing DMV call center, the "sturdy farm girl" defense

The state Department of Environmental Conservation got more than 20,000 public comments on hydrofracking. DEC commissioner said in a statement that if fracking its approved for the state, "it will move forward with the strictest standards in the nation." [NYT] [NYS DEC]

An indictment has been handed up against an Albany teen who was allegedly involved with a home invasion/robbery in the South End that include Nah-Cream Moore as an accomplice the day before Moore was shot and killed by an Albany police officer (map). Albany County DA David Soares says Moore was found carrying the same revolver was that used in the alleged home invasion. Says Soares of the two cases: "Although two separate incidents, the facts and narrative are inextricably intertwined." [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [YNN]

What appears to have been a stray bullet hit an East Greenbush family's home, riccocheting inside before putting a hole in their TV. The family says they think the bullet came from a neighboring property. Police say there may be no charges because it appears the shot was fired at least 500 feet from the house. [WNYT] [WTEN] [YNN]

Neighbors of the GlobalFoundries chip fab say they continue to be bothered by a high-pitched noise from the factory, despite efforts by the company to dampen the noise. One neighborhood said she slept in a closet in an effort to get away from the noise. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]

New York State AG Eric Schneiderman says prescriptions for oxycodone in the state were up 82 percent between 2007 and 2010. Schneiderman office says there is a "growing prescription drug abuse epidemic" and he's pushing for an online database to track prescribing and dispensing of some drugs. [NYT] [NYS AG]

A handful of counties around the state -- including Saratoga County -- have tried to raise their sales tax rate, but they've been thwarted by state legislators unwilling to sponsor the necessary legislation. [TU]

The state is using prison inmates to staff DMV call centers. [WNYT]

The operators of the Saratoga Casino and Raceway says the racino would get a $40 million expansion if full casino gaming is approved for the state. [Saratogian]

A labor arbitration board awarded Albany city firefighter with retroactive raises -- but did not require the city to pay the full cost of the health plans for retired firefighters. [TU]

Troy city councilman Gary Galuski has pleaded not guilty to four charges against him in the Troy voter fraud case. [Troy Record]

Colonie police say a man was killed when his car flipped over after hitting a parked car -- and they're looking for witnesses or info (map). [Fox23]

Among the arguments made by the attorney for an off-duty Schenectady police officer about why the officer couldn't have hit his girlfriend grabbed her by the neck, for which he's on trial: "She outweighs him by 50 pounds ... She's a big sturdy farm girl." [TU]

State police and humane officials say a woman in Rensselaer County was running a puppy mill with deplorable conditions. The woman says she "took on too many animals, but my daughter and I loved them and took care of them and did the best we could." [WNYT] [Fox23]

Albany police say $26k in eyeglass frames were stolen from the Pearl Vision on Central in Albany (map). [APD press release, below]

Financing has been lined up for the proposed large mixed-use Patriot Square development in Glenville (map). [Daily Gazette]

The Knowledge Network has closed, apparently. [WNYT]

The owner of the huge Llenroc Mansion in Rexford owes more than $170k in back property taxes (map and satellite view). [Daily Gazette]

The Albany Academies' new school bus includes bucket seats and wi-fi. [Daily Gazette]

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APD: eyeglass frames stolen

Albany police are investigating a burglary at the Pearl Vision Center on Central Avenue in which several hundred designer sunglasses and glass frames where stolen.

Police were called to the store at 971 Central Avenue yesterday morning after one of the owners discovered the burglary. Thomas Tarasovich discovered the burglary at 8:50 a.m. He told officers that the store was closed on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. and when he came back in Wednesday morning to open it he found the front door had been broken.

The front door lock was broken allowing the suspect or suspects to get inside. Once inside they were able to cut the wires to the alarm system located in a office inside the building. Over 900 sunglasses and glass frames were stolen as well as 1,500 assorted glass cases. The owner estimated the loss at over $25,000.

Officers canvassed the surrounding area with no results at this time.