Troy officials affirm current approach to violence, chair of state ethics panel being investigated, Schenectady taking crime reports online, 193 mph on Thruway, Philly Dake passes away

Following the recent rash of gun violence in the city, Troy police chief John Tedesco and mayor Lou Rosamilia say they don't support re-instituting the TPD's Street Crimes Unit. Former mayor -- now county legislator -- Harry Tutunjian has been pushing for SCU to be started up again.[Troy Record] [News10]

Colonie police are asking the public for help in shaking loose leads in the hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian last week on Central Ave near New Karner Road. Police say they haven't found a witness, yet, though they think they've spotted one on surveillance video. [Troy Record] [TU]

Another public meeting on the proposed Price Chopper at the site of St. Patrick's in Watervliet. Church officials say the property is just too expensive to fix and maintain. Opponents of the project cited the historic value of the property. Said developer John Nigro: "No one's come up with an idea except to stop the project, stop the razing. That doesn't solve anything." [Fox23] [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]

The State Liquor Authority has ruled that any rollback of the last call time in Saratoga must also occur across the whole county. [Saratogian]

The Albany County Sheriff's Office alleges an Albany woman being admitted to the county jail tried to smuggle in hundreds of prescription pills and heroin. In a condom. Hidden inside her... well... you can probably guess. The condom apparently broke and spilled the pills on the floor of a holding cell. Sheriff Craig Apple said the situation highlighted why jail staff need to be able to strip search people. [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]

The chair of JCOPE, the state's new ethics panel, is reportedly being investigated for allegedly trying to line-up welfare benefits for her family's live-in maid. Janet DiFiore was Andrew Cuomo's pick for the panel -- and he said yesterday he was confident in selecting the Westchester County DA. [NY Post] [State of Politics]

The state Thruway Authority is pushing ahead a proposed 45 percent toll increase for tractor trailers. [Buffalo News via State of Politics]

A National Science Foundation official, Tim Killeen, is set to become the next president of the SUNY Research Foundation. He says the org will operate subject to open meetings laws -- a point of contention under the foundation's previous director, who was bumped following a scandal involving a job for Joe Bruno's daughter. [SUNY] [TU]

The number of actual teacher cuts by school districts often is less than the number initially announced. [TU]

Among the reforms being pushed by groups trying cut down on wrongful convictions: double-blind suspect lineups, in which the officer conducting the lineup wouldn't know who the suspect was. (Double-blind studies are a staple of medical and academic research.) [TU] [YNN]

Craft brewers from around the state were at the Albany Pump Station Wednesday to push for a tax break for small brewers to be re-instated. The tax break is moving through the state Senate, and is waiting on action in the Assembly. [WNYT] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU]

Attorneys challenging Albany County's redistricting allege that former county exec Mike Breslin's administration shredded 400 pounds of documents shortly before leaving office. [TU]

The state Senate's Independent Democratic Conference is apparently considering an endorsement of Shawn Morse, if he gets on the ballot. Morse is challenging Neil Breslin for the Democratic nomination. [State of Politics]

Kathy Marchione, who's challenging Roy McDonald for the Republican nomination for the 43rd state Senate district, is calling shenanigans on a decision by the Saratoga County Republican party to not have a full committee vote on who to endorse. [Saratogian]

The city of Schenectady is looking to reduce the number of take-home cars used by its police department because of increasing costs for fuel, maintenance, and insurance. [Daily Gazette]

The Schenectady Police Department is now taking reports of minor crimes online. [Daily Gazette]

Albany police say they've arrested an 18-year-old for allegedly stabbing a teen while trying to steal his bike last Friday in the South End (map). APD says the teen is still in the hospital. [APD]

Albany police say they arrested two guys for allegedly shooting at people with a pellet gun from the roof of building in Pine Hill Tuesday morning (map). [APD]

State Police say they nabbed a guy for allegedly going 193 mph on a motorcycle on the Thruway near Coeymans. [News10]

Steven Raucci has filed an appeal of his conviction, looking for a new trial. [TU]

Argument used by the attorney for Angela Lopez, the Colonie woman who pleaded guilty to stealing $95,000 in welfare benefits: the prosecution went easy on public officials such as Alan Hevesi and Antonia Novello, so why not my client, too? [TU]

F. Cappiello Dairy in Schenectady -- now owned by a Wisconsin company -- has paid the city $220k to settle a decades-long dispute over whey.

Apple growers in the region say the weird spring and recent hail will put a dent in the local apple crop this fall. [Daily Gazette]

What's left of the Engel Farm on Albany Shaker Road near ALB will soon be gone -- with development probably to follow. [TU]

The Capital Region Maritime Center property in Glenville is up for sale (map). [Daily Gazette]

Crossgates' property goes tobacco free today. [YNN]

The Capital Region's rep at the National Spelling Bee -- Massoud S. Sharif from Guilderland -- didn't make it to the final, even though he spelled all his words correctly. [TU]

Phyllis "Philly" Dake has passed away. She was 85. Dake was the matriarch the the family that owns Stewart's -- company credits her with the idea for the "Make Your Own Sundae" bar in its stores. She was also a prominent and active local philanthropist. And she helped found SPAC in the 1960s. [Stewart's pdf] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
____


APD: Robbery Arrest

Albany detectives arrested an 18 year old Lark Street resident last night in connection with the stabbing of a 15 year old last Friday on Third Avenue.

Juan Anderson, of 78 Lark Street, is alleged to have stabbed the victim in his neck at 21 Third Avenue, on May 25, 2012, just before 9:30 p.m., while trying to steal his bicycle.

Anderson is also alleged to have punched and kicked the victim in his face while he was on the ground.

The victim was taken to Albany Medical Center where he is still currently admitted.

Anderson was charged with Robbery 1st.

He was arraigned this morning is Albany City Criminal Court.


APD: Pellet Gun Arrest

Albany police arrested two city men early Tuesday morning for shooting a pellet gun at people from the roof of an apartment building.

Police responded to the 326 Western Avenue, just before 5:00 a.m., after St. Rose Security called stating that two men were on the roof with a pellet gun. They stated that two students from Hudson Avenue came to them after they were shot with pellets while sitting on their front porch. Security personnel told the officers that they were also shot with pellets while investigating.

During the course of the incident, the suspects allegedly shot out a window of the St. Rose Security Office, 340 Western Avenue, and also shot out the windows of two cars in their parking lot.

Officers arrested Benjamin Zima, 21, of 326 Western Avenue, and Max Wolff, 24, of 111 North Pine Avenue, after they were located in the second floor apartment with the pellet gun.

They were each charged with four counts of Reckless Endangerment 2nd, two counts of Criminal Mischief 4th, and one count of Criminal Mischief 3rd.

They were arraigned Wednesday morning in the Albany City Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail.

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