All Over Albany

Cohoes warehouse blaze causes road closure, National Grid investigating underground explosions in Albany, Cuomo considers supporting McDonald & Saland, Balloons are back in Queensbury

A huge styrofoam fire in a construction company building in Cohoes is causing road closures and traffic tie-ups in the area. [TU] [YNN]

There are detours in the Pearl Street area of Downtown Albany as National Grid crews investigate what caused the fires and explosions that sent manhole covers flying in the area yesterday afternoon. [YNN] [AOA]

The 20-year-old driver charged in the hit-and-run death of a Saint Rose student James Oki last year pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter on Wednesday.[TU]

A 55-year-old former stockbroker from Voorheesville is charged with bilking customers out of as much as $2.2 million in a three year Ponzi scheme. Mark Casolo pleaded not guilty to a 15-count indictment that stemmed from a two year State Police investigation [WNYT] [TU]

Kathy Marchione lost 16 votes in Saratoga County after a recanvass of voting machines uncovered errors in Saratoga County election night tallies, reducing her lead over Roy McDonald to 106 votes. Absentee ballot counting starts today in Rensselaer County and Monday in Saratoga and Columbia Counties. [TU] [Saratogian]

Andrew Cuomo, expressed his disappointment yesterday that state Senate Republicans Roy McDonald and Steve Saland, who crossed lines to support the Marriage Equality Act, are facing primary recounts : "I don't believe we elect officials to always agree with us. We elect officials to use their best judgment and to be people of character and integrity, and I think this vote, which was a difficult vote, showed character and integrity. I hope it works out for both gentlemen...I hope they get re-elected." If McDonald and Saland win their primaries, Cuomo is considering crossing party lines to endorse the Republicans in the general election. [WNYT] [NYT] [TU]

The Albany County Comptroller's office has been subpoenaed for information in connection with the release of social security numbers and personal information of staffers in David Soares' office on the New York Citizen One blog. [TU]

Albany Police arrested a 17-year-old South Pearl Street resident in connection with a 3rd Avenue shooting in which he and another teen were injured. [APD Press Release posted below]

A 20-year-old Albany man could spend up to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in connection with a drug related shooting in the South End last year.[TU]

A Troy judge sentenced a city teen to three years in jail after the teen, who repeatedly violated probation after last year's attacks on Catholic Central High School students, was brought before him for yet another violation.When a male relative of the teen shouted at Judge Robert Uzzo, he replied "Your behavior is why he has these problems." [TU]

Police in Albany are searching for a suspect in two pharmacy robberies in the city. [APD Press Release (posted below)]

After three years and two legal battles, a plan to review Saratoga's 97-year-old city charter will be on the ballot in November. [TU]

Schenectady county may soon consider overriding the 2013 state tax cap -- a measure Albany County is already considering. [WNYT] [TU]

The results of Albany's latest vacant building census shows more than half of the vacant buildings in the city are no longer vacant, but that more may need to be razed. [TU]

Schenectady is preparing to take over 200 properties in its second round of tax foreclosures. [Gazette]

Coeymans is considering replacing local police with Albany County Sheriff's deputies. [TU]

The Heatly School in Green Island is open today after a strange odor caused them to evacuate yesterday and sent five students to the hospital with dizziness, headaches and irritated eyes. [TU] [Record]

Police in Rotterdam are looking for a man in in a silver or gray pick up trick who has been approaching children in the area. [Fox 23]

One minute you're having pizza with your friends, the next you're being questioned for terrorism. [TU]

Andrew Cuomo defended JCOPE's handling of an investigation into the sexual harassment charges against Vito Lopez and the $135,000 in Assembly settlements to two of his alleged victims, saying the Joint Commission on Public Ethics needs to operate behind closed doors in order to be able to discuss matters freely. [News 10]

The federal government wants to revoke Pedro Espada's bail after most of the money from the sale of a not-for-profit health care network he was convicted of stealing from, was dispersed to Espada, relatives, lawyers and companies the former Senator controlled.[Fox 23] [NYT]

On the team reviewing designs for the new Tappan Zee Bridge -- artist Jeff Koons, known for "whimsical sculptures of giant puppies made of flowers and balloon animals fashioned from stainless steel." [NYT]

Jerry Jennings wants Albany to get in shape. The mayor and other city leaders have teamed with a local chef and dietitians on a "Eat Healthy Albany" initiative to fight childhood obesity. [News 10]

Students in Schoharie have completed a year long project - building a puzzle shaped like the county and made of items that would have been lost in last year's flooding. [YNN]

Albany's historic Cherry Hill is 225 years old. [YNN]

The Adirondack Balloon Festival lifts off today in Queensbury. [Saratogian]

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APD Press release Shooting suspect:

Albany detectives arrested a 17 year old South Pearl Street resident in connection with a shooting incident on Third Avenue back in August.
 
Ralon Wilson, of 632 South Pearl Street, was arrested last night following an investigation by detectives.
 
On August 19, 2012, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Wilson is alleged to have handled a loaded handgun while in front of 85 Third Avenue that accidently discharged causing him to strike himself in the hand.
 
During the incident, a fifteen year old boy was also struck in his wrist by the same round.
 
Both teens were treated that night at Albany Medical Center Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
 
Wilson was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd, Assault 3rd, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
 
He was arraigned this morning in the Albany City Criminal Court.   
 

APD Press Release - Pharmacy robberies

Albany police are currently investigating two separate robberies in the city in which the suspect has been targeting pharmacies..
 
Officers responded to CVS, located at 1026 Madison Avenue, just after 5:00 p.m. last evening for a report of robbery. When officers arrived they learned that a male passed a note at the pharmacy counter demanding medication.
 
A separate robbery was reported at approximately 9:15 this morning at the Rite Aid, located at 581 Central Avenue. During this incident a male also passed a note at the pharmacy counter and demanded medication.
 
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 25 years of age, 5' 6" to 5'9", 140-160 lbs.  wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.
 
Anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Detectives Division at (518) 462-8039