All Over Albany

Two Montgomery County teens charged with murder, rash of suspicious fires in Troy, Chaplin found guilty in Crosier murder, farms feeling effects of dry summer, an answer from afar

Two Amsterdam teens -- 16 and 15 -- have been charged with murder for the deaths of two teens -- 13 and 16 -- whose bodies were found in the Town of Florida. Authorites says the two bodies were found shot in a field. One of the victim's grandfathers says the two boys were last seen being dropped off at the house of on the suspects. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Fox23]

There were two fires in Troy's North Center neighborhood early Sunday, part of a rash of recent fires the Troy Fire Department says have either been deliberately set or are suspicious. It says there have been five such fires in the past week. One of the fires displaced a family that had already been displaced by one of the earlier fires. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WNYT]

On Friday a Rensselaer County Court jury found Scott Chaplin guilty of the 1994 murder of Rosemary Crosier in Troy. Said Chaplin's father of the verdict: "They let the murderers walk and they hang an innocent guy!" -- referring to George Mott, who was acquitted in January. Chaplin's attorney says they're planning an appeal. Said Crosier's sister: "There were others involved and I hope they get justice as well." [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [YNN] [TU]

The Cuomo administration's tight control on the flow of information and access extends to records from Andrew Cuomo's term in the attorney general's office -- the admin sent staffers to review and remove documents after the Times Union requested access to documents in the State Archives. [TU]

The state still doesn't technically own the Empire the State Plaza, even though its 40-year lease from Albany County -- which was planned to result in the state taking ownership -- ended almost eight years ago. [TU]

Opening day at the Saratoga Race Course on Friday was included a few problems -- example: overflowing toilets -- but they seemed to be mostly worked out by Sunday. [TU] [TU]

Bethlehem police say a body was found in a wooded area just off Route 9W in Selkirk. They say it appears the body had been there for some time. [YNN] [Fox23]

Schenectady police say a man was shot in Mont Pleasant early Saturday morning (map). [WNYT]

Court documents outline the prosecution's case against Annie George, who allegedly kept a woman from the India as a servant at the Llenroc mansion under arduous working conditions and little pay. [Daily Gazette]

The federal government says it can't extend a deadline for Albany County to install a new $684k sprinkler system at the county nursing home -- even though the county is moving toward building a new facility. [TU]

Local farms say they're seeing the effects of the lack of rain. [Troy Record]

In Halfmoon, one of the region's fastest growing towns, there's a push for a moratorium on new development. [TU]

Saratoga County is still using an analog, punch-card-style time clock system for its employees. [Saratogian]

The Troy City Council is backing a grant app from the Troy Proctor's Foundation for state money to put toward the first step in redeveloping the long-empty theater space. [TU]

The Friends of Washington Park group in Troy has decided to not pursue turning the former St. Mary's Church into a community center (map). [TU]

Even though the former Clarksville Elementary in New Scotland is becoming an Albany County Sheriff's Office substation, the murals -- including Clifford the Big Red Dog -- are staying. [TU]

A former Saratoga couple is still trying to untangle itself from the problems created by a corrupt financial adviser who swindled them of their money and assets. [Saratogian]

A Scotia man is suing the Rotterdam Police Department and Schenectady County DA's office for $8.25 million, alleging he unfairly arrested and beaten after he didn't return his grandmother's car and it was reported stolen. [Daily Gazette]

The KIPP Tech Valley Middle School has formed a partnership with Syracuse University that aims to open the way for students from the Albany charter school to attend SU. [TU]

A sea plane flipped on Saratoga Lake Saturday -- no one was injured. [Saratogian] [TU]

The new Woodlawn Ave parking garage in downtown Saratoga has opened (map). [TU]

A former school in Watervliet has been turned into loft-style apartments. [TU]

What is apparently Joe Bruno's home in Brunswick is for rent. [TU]

Unlikely reference of the day: this Saratogian article about a scarecrow in Milton includes mention of Dostoevsky. [Saratogian]

When a Greenfield woman sent a helium balloon out into the world with the question "Will there be peace on earth before I go to heaven?" -- she got a reply from the Bay of Fundy. [Saratogian]