McDonald/Marchione too close to call, more primary follow up, fatal shooting in Albany, Scotia Diner re-opens
Here are highlights of results from Thursday's state and local primary elections.
The primary for the Republican line in the 43rd state Senate District -- incumbent Roy McDonald vs. Saratoga County clerk Kathy Marchione -- is too close to call. Marchione appears to be leading by fewer than 150 votes. And there are more than 1,100 absentee ballots to be counted. Marchione, who has the Conservative line, says she'll continue to the general election if she loses the Republican primary -- McDonald hasn't committed to that. Marchione's challenge of McDonald was rooted in McDonald's vote in favor of the Marriage Equality Act. She said of her run for the seat Thursday night: "this was a campaign to hold politicians accountable for their votes and their actions. Don't lie to us, don't disrespect us, don't insult us." Another Republican state Senator who voted for same-sex marriage -- Stephen Saland, of Poughkeepsie -- is also in a too-close-call primary. [TU] [Daily Gazette [Saratogian] [NYT]
David Soares on prevailing in the contentious Democratic Primary for Albany County DA against Lee Kindlon: "I want to really thank voters of Albany County for really being able to see through a lot of the nonsense that was foisted at them throughout this event." [TU]
Phil Steck and Pat Fahy both credited grass-roots support for their victories in the Democratic primaries for the 110th and 109th state Assembly seats. [TU]
Cohoes mayor John McDonald -- who won the Democratic primary for the state Assembly 108th against Carolyn McLaughlin, and is now lined up to take the seat currently held by Ron Canestrari -- is Canestrari's neighbor and succeeded him as mayor of Cohoes. [Troy Record]
Neil Breslin framed his win in the Democratic primary for the state Senate 44th against Shawn Morse as a step toward bringing the four Independent Democratic Conference members of the Senate back into the Democratic conference (Morse had the backing the IDC). [Troy Record]
It appears Cecelia Tkaczyk won the Democratic primary for the newly created state Senate 46th, in which she'll face Republican George Amedore. On the district that was apparently tailored for Amedore: "Nobody owns this district." [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say a man was shot and killed near Bleecker Stadium in West Hill Thursday night (map). Update: APD says it's made an arrest. [APD] [APD]
The man accused of stabbing one man to death and almost killing another at the Commando Lodge in Albany last year has been convicted of second-degree murder. [TU]
Elijah Willingham Sr. -- the husband of former Albany County legislator Wanda Willingham -- has been sentenced to three years probation and fined for defrauding the county of child care benefits. [TU]
A former Albany resident is on the US Marshals nationwide 15 most-wanted list. [Daily Gazette]
Albany police are hoping the public can help them identify three men caught on video while allegedly robbing a grocery (map). [TU]
Troy police say they seized three "community guns" from a building in North Central. [TU]
Albany County comptroller Mike Conners says his office will pay for credit monitoring -- out of his own pocket if need be -- for the county DA's office employees whose Social Security numbers were exposed in the recent leak. [TU]
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office says it pulled $500,000 worth of pot plants from locations in Moreau and Corinth. [Saratogian]
The Albany Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodations for families while their children are being treated at hospitals, is expanding. [TU]
Saturday in Albany's Lincoln Park: the first Mississippi Day. [TU]
The Northway Pig apparently had escaped from a farm five miles away from where it was found.
The Scotia Diner has re-opened at its new, retro location. [Daily Gazette]
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APD: Homicide
Albany police are investigating a homicide that happened last night on Ontario Street.
Officers responded to 104 Ontario Street, around 9:45 p.m., after receiving a call that a man had been shot. When officers arrived, they located Alex Duncan, 35 , of Second Street, with a gunshot wound.
He was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital where he succumbed from his injuries.
Detectives are actively investigating the incident and speaking with persons of interest at this time.
Albany detectives arrested a 23 year old Clinton Avenue man this afternoon in connection with last night's homicide on Ontario Street.
Bernard White, of 522 Clinton Avenue, was arrested following an investigation by detectives.
He was charged with Murder 2nd and Robbery 1st for his role in the shooting death of 35 year old Alex Duncan of Albany.
He was arraigned this afternoon in the Albany City Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail.
Antwan Uptegrow, 35, of 108 Bradford Street, a second party relevant to this investigation, was arrested and held on a New York State Parole warrant. He is also being held at the Albany County Jail.
As detectives to continue to further investigate last night's incident, we are asking anyone with information to call the Albany Police Detectives Division at (518) 462-8039.
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