All Over Albany

Well-known local developer killed in plane crash, NY could become the "silicon valley of yogurt," RPI students to aid in Mars rover Curiosity research

Yesterday's plane crash on a Clifton Park lawn killed well-known Troy developer Walter Uccellini. The developer behind Troy's recently completed City Station project was a passenger in the six-seat plane flown by Jim Quinn. Quinn was injured in the crash. The two were believed to be traveling on a business trip when Quinn radioed the tower that they were experiencing trouble and he was looking for a place to land the plane. State Police say Quinn's piloting skills helped avoid even more damage. [Record] [WNYT] [YNN] [TU]

Legislators, dairy farmers, and yogurt makers are working to make New York "the agricultural version of Silicon Valley." At yesterday's Yogurt Summit Andrew Cuomo announced that the state plans to ease regulations for dairy farmers, boosting the maximum allowable herd size -- a move that has environmental activists concerned about things like manure run-off. [NYT] [TU]

Police discovered the body of a woman in Green Island last night, but say they don't believe the death was suspicious. [TU]

Albany club and bar owners who hold newly-issued cabaret licenses are upset that the documents say they have to stop live music and DJs at 2 am. The city's cabaret law passed earlier this year doesn't have a stop time and many of the venues fear cutting off two hours early will hurt business. [TU]

Another Albany charter school is closing its doors at the end of the 2013 academic year. Achievement Academy is citing poor academic performance as the reason for closure. [TU]

The dean of RPI's School of Science -- a member of the team behind the NASA's Mars rover Curiosity -- wants to involve the school in the rover research project. [TU]

In the wake of a recent string of suspected arsons in Troy, the city's police chief is calling for the reinstatement of the controversial Street Crimes Unit, which was disbanded two years ago following police brutality claims. [WNYT]

A Schenectady woman who allegedly made up a story that her mother was trying to kill her is now charged with tampering with evidence and falsely reporting an incident. [TU]

A Stephentown man is being held in Massachusetts for allegedly breaking into the home of his former girlfriend in Nassau and kidnapping her. [TU]

US marshals are looking for a man the say failed to register as a sex offender. [YNN]

The 44-year-old Saratoga Springs man who led police on a high speed chase that included a helicopter was sentenced to five years probation, including the installation of an interlock ignition device installed in his vehicle. [Saratogian]

BBL Construction Services, which has a history of being a political player in the Capital Region, gave $26,000 to David Soares' re-election campaign and $16,000 to Frank Commisso Jr. in his race to succeed Jack McEneny. [TU]

Six members of the Albany Common Council have endorsed Lee Kindlon for district attorney. [TU]

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple has been listed as a co-host for a fundraiser for Soares -- but Apple says he didn't agree to support any candidate in the race. [TU]

A 15-year-old Westmere boy who wanted healthier food has started a debate about keeping chickens -- and roosters -- in Guilderland. [TU]

At the request of the group trying to save the former St. Patrick's in Watervliet, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany has agreed to hire another structural engineering firm to re-evaluate the costs involved involved in stabilizing the structure. [Record]

The city of Saratoga Springs now has more than $10 million in its general fund, but the city's finance commissioner says all but $1.5 million is already spent.

The future of NYRA was among the topics up for discussion at Albany Law School's 12th annual Saratoga Institute on Racing and Gaming. [YNN]

A federal jury ruled that Saratoga Springs did not discriminate against African-Americans and families with children, when it rezoned a section of the city to require two acre lot homes. [Saratogian]

More bear sightings in the region -- this time on the campus of Skidmore College. [Saratogian]

State Police are in possession of a cockatiel who interrupted their firearms training. [Fox 23]

C-R productions has met its $75,000 fundraising goal and will move forward with its 2012 season. A drop in subscriptions and donations had put the musical theater company in danger of closing its doors.[TU] [Fox 23]

Recent Saratoga High School graduate and son of retired jockey Robbie Davis, Dylan Davis, is now racing with the pros at Saratoga. [News 10]

A longtime Scotia appliance store will close its doors later this month. [Gazette]

The late chief of staff for the annual Harley Rendezvous in Rotterdam had his last ride this week -- in a glass-topped hearse pulled by a motorcycle and escorted by 54 bikes. [Gazette]