All Over Albany

Housing authority pushes back on state audit, foam party fight compared to zombie apocalypse, languages diversifying in school districts

Said Saratoga Springs Housing Authority chair Eric Weller in defending the agency against a state comptroller's office audit of the agency. There's nothing actionable in this audit ... There's no policy that's been violated." The comptroller's audit criticizes the agency's handling of a bed bug problem and concluded it had a lack of control over travel expenses. [Daily Gazette] [NYS OSC] [TU] [NYS OSC]

Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner on the uproar over the SSPD's delay in notifying the public about a reported rape, to the Saratogian: "I apologize that we couldn't give out more information. I apologize for what this turned into. I don't think there is a reason to apologize for the whole incident." [Saratogian]

The Glens Falls five-year-old who police say was assaulted last week by an adult has died at the hospital. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]

The mother of a man shot by Schenectady police in 2011 says recently released autopsy results have prompted more questions -- the case has yet to go before a grand jury. [TU]

A fatal car accident shut down the street at Delaware and Dana in Albany Fridy night. [Fox23]

Saratoga Springs police say items such as gold bars, Swiss francs, and electronic items were taken during three burglaries on the city's west side Friday night (map). SSPD says it's been investigating a "rash of burglaries," but items stolen to date hadn't been so high end. [SSPD] [Fox23]

A Vorheesville man was sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to trying to arrange the kidnapping and ransom of a former business partner. [TU]

Says a woman of the situation outside the foam party at Washington Ave Armory in October: "The zombie apocalypse is a great comparison to what happened." [TU]

Lead of the day, by the Gazette's John Enger: "Very few people are unlucky enough to drunk-dial an FBI agent." [Daily Gazette]

Federal and state environmental officials say the combined sewer overflow plan proposed by the a group of Capital Region municipalities will have to be re-worked. [TU] Earlier: Something stinks about the Hudson near Albany

The way New York State regulates wilderness tour guides and companies -- licensing the individual guides and not the company -- allows companies to continue operating even when their guides have been accused of wrongdoing. [AP/Saratogian]

Potential new revenue source for school districts in the state: international students. [TU]

The number of English-as-a-second-language students in Capital Region school districts is growing and diversifying -- in the Albany school district alone there are students who speak one of 49 different languages. [TU]

Incandescent advocated -- and former RPI professor -- Howard Brandston says he has a two-lifetime supply of incandescent bulbs stored away because of the switch to CFLs and LEDs. [TU] Earlier: You can pry this incandescent light bulb from my cold, dead hand

The winner of the speed texting competition at UAlbany's CNSE this past weekend: a 15 year old from Ballston Spa, who beat her 17-year-old sister. [Daily Gazette]