All Over Albany

NYS bishops lobby for minimum wage hike, Morse says mandates made him run, motorcycle clocked by police at 170 MPH, 2nd Bruno indictment may come today, legislature may consider state dog

Saying "it is becoming increasingly difficult for the working poor of our state to make ends meet" Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the New York State bishops had published a statement in the New York Times urging Albany lawmakers to raise the minimum wage. Sheldon Silver is proposing a minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $8.50. On Wednesday's Capitol Pressroom, Andrew Cuomo said he thought "a minimum-wage increase would be in order." [NYT] [Capitol Pressroom ]

Another problem from the NYS Pearson tests has been thrown out -- this one asked fifth graders to find the perimeter of a trapezoid that could not exist within the bounds of mathematics. And it turns out that the "correct" answer -- according to the Pearson test -- was not correct.[NYT]

A report by the Boston Globe shows six nursing homes in the Capital Region are giving antipsychotiic medications to patients who aren't diagnosed with a need for the drugs. [TU]

Albany County Legislative Chair Shawn Morse says state mandates that drive up property taxes are among the reasons he's primarying Neil Breslin. Morse announced his candidacy yesterday, telling supporters that Breslin has "lost sight of what residents in the district are struggling with."[WNYT] [TU]

An Albany man convicted of rape in March, claims his lawyer -- Albany County D.A. candidate Lee Kindlon, was so preoccupied with the race for D.A. that he didn't put forth enough effort on his case. [TU]

When state police finally caught up with a Saratoga County man they'd been chasing on a motorcycle from Ravena to New Paltz they clocked him going 170 MPH. When asked about his excessive speed he allegedly told police the bike can easily exceed 190 mph. [WNYT] [TU]

A source close to Joe Bruno says a second indictment on corruption charges may be handed down today.[State of Politics]

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy says lower than expected revenues, not overspending, is responsible for the city finishing up 2011 with a $5 million deficit. McCarthy says he and the council are and the city council are working on ways to cut the deficit. [Gazette] [TU]

Schenectady has unveiled a new project that turns sewage gas into energy to power its waste water treatment plant.-- which is expected to save $29,000 a month in electricity and heating costs.[TU]

Schenectady's new proposed $156 million school budget does meet the state tax cap, but requires losing 48 positions including 18 high school teachers.[YNN]

Saratoga's City Council adopted a Complete Streets policy last night -- which means an advisory board will be formed to examine how complete streets concepts can be integrated into the city.[Saratogian]

The investigation into the theft of more than $700 from the Troy City clerks office and the office of vital statistics has been closed after a year due to "lack of physical evidence."[Record]

An Albany man is charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting at two people in a parked car on Clinton Street last Friday.[APD Press Release below]

An Albany teen is facing burglary charges in connection with two break-ins [APD Press Release below]

A Troy man is in the Rensselaer County jail after allegedly talking his way into the home of an 84 year old woman by asking to use her phone, then threatening and robbing her. [TU]

A new lead in a 26 year old Saratoga missing persons case has police combing several locations to locate the possible burial site off Tammie Anne McCormick, who went missing when she was 13.[News 10]

New homes are being sought for the horses that belonged to a Greefield woman convicted of 20 misdemeanors for neglecting them. [Saratogian]

The dead moose found behind Jack's drive in on Monday died of Brain worm, a sickness that causes aberrant behavior in moose and other mammals. [Record]

Andrew Cuomo says he'll be cleaning up, today.[Record]

Two competing bills in by New York legislators are calling for an official state dog. [TU]

An assemblywoman from Staten Island is drafting a bill banning "non medical cosmetic surgery" for dogs and cats, including neuticals [TU]

A Pine Hills couple claim pile driving to break ground for a new College of Saint Rose dorm shook the earth so much that it damaged their home -- and they want the school to pay the $50,000 repair tab.[TU]

The American Cancer Society is recruiting healthy volunteers in the Capital Region with no history of cancer for a prevention study.[TU]

After a long search, a memorial stained glass window from a men ands church, honoring the civil war service of a New York Infantry regimen was uncovered in a Schenectady basement.[TU]

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APD Press Release --Attempted Murder

Albany police arrested a 25 year old Fourth Avenue resident last night in connection with a shooting last Friday at Clinton Street and Fourth Avenue.

Police responded to Albany Medical Center on Friday April 27th, around 3:00 a.m., after hospital staff called stating two people just walked in with gunshot wounds. Michael Varlack, 24, and Elmeika Johnson, 18, both of Albany, were shot while inside a vehicle parked at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Clinton Street. Varlack was shot once in the chest. Johnson was shot in the hand and the remaining four passengers inside the car were not injured.

Lamon Lanier, of 116 Fourth Avenue, was arrested last night following an investigation by detectives.

He was charged with Attempted Murder 2nd, Assault 1st, and four counts of Reckless Endangerment 1st.

He was arraigned this morning in Albany City Criminal Court.

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APD Press Release -Burglary

Albany detectives arrested a 19 year old Elk Street resident last night for breaking into two city homes on four separate occasions.

Jarrod Smith, of 270 Elk Street, is alleged to have broken into a home on Elk Street on January 30, 2012 and stealing several electronic items. He is also alleged to have broken into a home on Hunter Avenue three times between February 24th and March 7th where he stole electronics and money from the victim.

Smith was arrested following an investigation by detectives.

He was charged with four counts of Burglary 2nd , two counts of Petit Larceny, one count of Criminal Mischief 4th and Grand Larceny 4th.

He was arraigned this morning in Albany City Criminal Court.