All Over Albany

Too early to tell about Sandy, uncertainty at Washington Ave Armory, Proctors looking at potential UPH partnership, Don Rittner's job cut from Schenectady County budget

The short story on the potential local impact of Sandy: it's too early to know. The situation in the Northeast -- which could involve not just Sandy, but other systems as well -- is being called the "Frankenstorm" by by the National Weather Service. The state and National Grid are prepping for the storm. [TU] [AP/Saratogian] [YNN] [YNN]

City of Schenectady officials think a Court of Appeals ruling this week involving another municipality will allow it to directly, and more quickly, discipline police officers. Or, to put it another way, it allows the city to fire officers directly instead of going through an arbitrator. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

The Times Union says state agencies were unable to determine how many people from other countries are working for their IT contractors when asked via FOIL. [TU]

Robert Hayden -- the Troy man who pleaded guilty to smothering a 21-month-old Avery Cahn to death -- was sentenced to 25 years in prison. During her victim impact statement, the boy's mother says her other son still asks to set a place at the table for Avery. And said the boy's father (currently in custody in Albany County), "I don't want you to die in prison ... I want you to suffer for the next 25 years and when you get out I will finally have a chance to look you in your eyes, face-to-face, and ask you why." [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]

From the Watertown Daily Times, about the last night's debated between Bill Owens and Matt Doheny for the 21st Congressional District (which includes part of Saratoga County): "It was a night punctuated by avoidance: Owens avoiding eye contact with a confrontational and aggressive Doheny, and in turn accusing Doheny of avoiding questions from the moderators." One of the main topics: the economy. Here's full video of the debate (if you're a TWC subscriber). [WDT/Post-Star] [YNN] [YNN]

Part of the $500,000 in super PAC money aimed to support the campaign of state Senate 46th candidate Cecilia Tkaczyk -- to highlight campaign finance laws -- has prompted a complaint that it has violated campaign finance laws. It's also prompted an attack ad from rival George Amedore. [TU] [State of Politics]

Jim Tedisco, Steve McLaughlin, and Tony Jordan are pushing for a "three strikes and you're out" law for filing campaign finance reports on time. [TU]

A profile of the candidates running for the 109th Assembly District (to replace Jack McEneny). [TU]

Another sign that Kathy Sheehan is planning a run for Albany mayor. [TU]

Facing a city of Albany order to halt non-sports events, the Washington Ave Armory has postponed the "Masquerave" event Friday night -- and is trying to figure out what to do about a Halloween themed fundraiser planned for Saturday. [TU]

State Police say a man reported being approached by a gunman while using a drive-through ATM in Milton last Saturday -- though the gunman didn't get any money (map). [Saratogian]

An odd situation in Ballston Spa involving an elderly woman, an alleged assault by a neighbor, and an apparently less-than-cooperative Ballston Spa Police Department started over a chihuahua. [Saratogian]

Albany police say a man was arrested for allegedly walking into the TALK 1300 studios in the TU Center -- and walking out with a laptop. The station posted a photo on Twitter of the alleged robbery. [TU] [@TALK1300]

The city of Schenectady's proposed budget includes a provision that would allow city workers to perform the labor on replacing water or sewer laterals -- the pipes that run from houses to the line along the street -- reducing the cost for homeowners from about $6000 to $1250. [Daily Gazette]

The raises/salary adjustments/whatever you call them proposed by Lou Rosamilia for members of his staff continue to be an issue in Troy. [Troy Record]

Koinonia Primary Care -- the West Hill health clinic run by Dr. Bob Paeglow -- has received certifications that will allow it continue financially. [TU]

Proctors is looking a potential partnership with Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. The building apparently still needs a lot of renovation work. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]

A curator at the Tang Museum has been promoted to replace the outgoing director. [Saratogian]

The company that operates the Saratoga and North Creek Railway has floated a plan to eventually run Pullman car service from New York City into the Adirondacks via a line that passes through Utica. [Daily Gazette]

Schenectady County historian Don Rittner's $25,000-a-year position was cut in the county budget recently approved by the county legislature. [TU]