All Over Albany

Albany County nursing home plan hits snag, APD: teens assaulted 70-year-old, apple cider prices up, Chuck Schumer's relaxed vacation look

A state panel will not recommend approval of of new Albany County nursing home. Reason: concerns about cost -- the most recent estimate figures an annual operating loss of more than $24 million. [Troy Record] [TU]

Just seven Capital Region school districts have gotten their teacher evaluation plans approved by the state. The state's education commissioner says the whole process has been slow going and can't promised it will be finished by the January deadline. [TU] [State of Politics]

Albany police say four teens assaulted a 70-year-old man in the Beverwyck neighborhood Saturday afternoon -- they allegedly spit on him, knocked him down, and hit him with a garbage can lid (map). [APD]

The small apple crop this year has led to higher prices for apple cider. [Daily Gazette]

Albany police say a motorcyclist hit a teen pedestrian, injuring him, on Washington Ave Saturday evening, allegedly after the motorcyclist had fled from police "at a high rate of speed" (map). APD says the motorcyclist has 14 suspensions on his license. [APD]

Peter LaVenia -- the Green Party candidate for the state Senate 44th -- wants to debate Neil Breslin. Five times. [TU] [State of Politics]

Large focus of the campaign for Julian Schreibman, the Democrat challenging Chris Gibson for the newly configured 19th Congressional District: Gibson's support of a 2011 draft budget sponsored by Paul Ryan. [TU]

Industrial development tax breaks are apparently making it hard for school districts to manage the state tax cap. [Daily Gazette]

The proposed Albany County pawn shop law continues to circulate -- the law's sponsor says he's re-formulated the law, pawn shop and secondhand dealers are floating their owner version of the law. (And earlier version of this law was vetoed by the county exec.) [Troy Record] [TU]

The former Saratoga Springs public works director has accused the current public works commissioner of striking "some secret deal" to sell city water to a development in Wilton. (There's political history here. Of course.) [TU]

There have been eight vehicle fatalities this year in Washington County, putting it "well ahead" of the state rate for highway fatalities. [Post-Star]

A Schenectady city court judge is filed a notice a claim (the first step in filing a lawsuit) against the city because of damage allegedly caused to the judge's car when a city worker backed into it. [TU]

The state Department of State has accused a private investigator who worked for NXIVM -- the Colonie-based "executive success program" -- of trying to intimidate witnesses. [TU]

The city of Troy planning department is floating a plan to turn Franklin Alley -- between River Street and Broadway -- into a pedestrian/cafe area (map). [TU]

Siena College and CDTA have struck a deal for Siena students to ride the bus for free (the college is paying the bus org a flat fee based on usage). CDTA has similar agreements with many other local colleges. Also: CDTA is developing a bus hub at Latham Farms. [CDTA] [TU]

The state is recommending that all horses in the state be vaccinated for West Nile after a horse in Saratoga County recently contracted the virus and died. [Saratogian]

The Doane Stuart School has appointed an interim head of school -- the private school recently announced its longtime headmaster was resigning. (The resignation was apparently prompted by a difference in vision between school officials and the headmaster.) [Doane Stuar] [Doane Stuart] [Daily Gazette]

While vacationing in Croatia, Chuck Schumer lets his beard go. [Marv Cermak]

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APD: Assault on 70-year-old man

Albany police are investigating the assault of a 70 year old Loudonville man that happened Saturday on Washington Avenue.

Officers responded to Stewarts, 515 Washington Avenue, just after, 1:00 p.m., after receiving a call for an assault. When officers arrived, they located the victim in front of the store with injuries.

The victim told police that while backing out of the store's parking lot onto Quail Street one of four teenagers kicked his car. He told officers that the one of the teens then went up to his driver's side window and spat on him. He states he then got out of his car to confront the teens and that's when they knocked him down to the ground and began to assault him. The four teens proceeded to punch him, kick him, and strike him several times on the head with a plastic garbage can lid.

As people came the victim's aid, the teens fled down Washington Avenue on their bicycles.

The victim was treated at the scene by Albany firefighters and was taken to Albany Medical Center for further evaluation. His injuries are non-life threatening.

All four suspects were described as black males, approximately 15 years of age.

APD: Motorcycle Accident at Washington Avenue and West Lawrence Street

Albany police responded to an accident Saturday evening that injured a 14 year old pedestrian and left a motorcyclist with a head injury.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., an officer on patrol was flagged down about an accident at Washington Avenue and West Lawrence Street. When officers arrived, they learned that a motorcycle traveling north on West Lawrence Street traveled across all four lanes of Washington Avenue and struck a 14 year old boy in the crosswalk.

The teen was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital where he is currently being treated for a fractured orbital bone and collar bone.

The motorcyclist, Michael Preville, 39, of Colonie, sustained a head injury during the collision. He was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital where he was also admitted.

During the course of the investigation, officers learned that Preville was the same motorcyclist that sped off from an officer at Madison Avenue and West Lawrence Street prior to the accident.

An officer on patrol previously observed Preville going the wrong way on Ontario Street and turn left onto Madison Avenue. The officer rolled down his window at the intersection of Madison Avenue and West Lawrence Street in order to advise him that Ontario street was a one-way. Preville immediately turned onto West Lawrence Street and fled at a high rate of speed. Given the time of day and the voluminous amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area, the officer chose not to pursue Preville as he fled.

Preville currently has 14 suspensions on his license.

The incident is still under investigation and charges are expected.