All Over Albany

Relatively calm St. Patrick's Day, police: hidden camera snapped pic of installer, challenger for Roy McDonald, last Catholic elementary in Schenectady to close, early end for maple season

St. Patrick's Day was relatively tame this year in Albany. Police were noticeably present in the Pine Hills neighborhood, and were active on the Pearl Street. Some businesses on Pearl Street said the adjusted parade route cut in their business. [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]

Last week's middle-of-the-night deals at the Capitol bolstered Andrew Cuomo's rep for getting things done -- but the deals used a shortcut that's only supposed to be used in emergencies. Jim Tedisco is pushing legislation that would invalidate bills passed between midnight and 8 am. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Jim Tedisco]

As the state takes one step toward legalizing full casino gambling, powerful interests on all sides are lining up to influence the outcome. [TU]

The variables involved in the setting the state tax cap for school districts means that some districts -- such as Ballston Spa this year -- could be required to cut their tax levies. Economic development officials in Saratoga County say the tax cap is messing with their ability to use PILOTs to draw new businesses. [Post-Star] [Saratogian]

Troy police say the motion-activated camera hidden in the women's locker room at an RPI pool caught the man who allegedly installed in an image. Thomas McMartin pleaded not guilty after turning himself in on Friday. [TU] [Fox23]

Three Republicans have lined up to challenge Kirsten Gillibrand. [TU]

The Saratoga County Republican committee has held off on endorsing Roy McDonald. And Saratoga County clerk Kathleen Marchione has decided to challenge McDonald. [State of Politics] [Post-Star]

Schenectady police say a 17-year-old turned up with a gunshot wound at Ellis Hospital following reports of shots fired in Mont Pleasant Friday night (map). [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Schenectady police say a man and his girlfriend have been charged after he shot himself in apparent suicide attempt. They say the man was charged for criminal possession of the weapon and reckless endangerment, and the woman for allegedly trying to hide the gun from police. [WTEN] [TU] [WTEN]

Surfaced as part of the Troy ballot fraud case: city councilman Kevin McGrath's guilty plea to a drug charge in 1998. [TU]

Albany County sheriff Craig Apple says he's disbanding the drug unit headed by an investigator whose pension waiver was recently called into question by a Times Union story. [TU]

State Police say a man used stolen credit cards at two Saratoga Price Choppers -- but used his own AdvantEdge card in the process. [Saratogian]

A Union Street building in downtown Schenectady was demolished after a large fire this weekend. [WTEN] [Fox23]

South Colonie teachers and other employees have agreed to givebacks that will head off as many as 30 teacher layoffs. [TU]

The Albany school district wants to sell two of its buildings, including the building at Western and Lake now known as the Adult Learning Center (map). [TU]

The last Catholic elementary school in Schenectady is closing. The Albany diocese says 84 students were enrolled at St. John the Evangelist School for the fall. [TU] [WTEN]

The executive director of the Capital District Transportation Committee is stepping down after three decades. [Daily Gazette]

Tuesday is a voting day in many villages. [TU]

Those gas station signs advertising cash-only prices -- and only cash-only prices -- are legal. [TU]

Joel Osteen drew 12,000 people the to TU Center Friday night. [TU]

The local Salvation Army says donations at its clothing drop-off boxes are down. [Daily Gazette]

Volunteers have rebuilt the Uncle Sam memorial in Troy's Prospect Park. [Troy Record]

Maple syrup season started -- and is ending -- early this year. [Post-Star]

The Union men's hockey team won the ECAC tournament this weekend and is a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Dutchmen play Michigan State on Friday at 3 pm in Bridgeport, Connecticut. [TU]

The #14 seed UAlbany women's basketball team lost to #3 seed Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA tournament. [ESPN]

The Syracuse men's basketball team beat Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA tournament Saturday, and will play Wisconsin in the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday. [ESPN]