All Over Albany

SSPD officer charged in connection with bar fight, count starts in state Senate 46th, Cambridge woman wins ANTM

Edward Braim, one of the three Saratoga Springs police officers alleged to be part of a bar fight on Caroline Street last week, has been charged with misdemeanor assault. His attorney says he was acting in self defense. Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy said Monday that the injuries sustained by the accuser don't rise to the level a possible felony charge. There are both criminal and SSPD internal investigations looking at the case. [Daily Gazette [TU] [TU] [Saratogian]

Updated: The two people already facing charges in connection with the death of a 5 year old in Glens Falls have been indicted -- the mother's boyfriend on murder and manslaughter charges, the mother for reckless endangerment. [Post-Star] [TU] [WNYT]

The counting of paper ballots has started for the state Senate 46th race between George Amedore and Cecelia Tkaczyk. The count will extend into next week. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Whatever happens with the county nursing home, it looks like the Albany County budget will include an almost 9 percent tax increase. [TU]

Retrial of Edward McDonough in the Troy ballot fraud case: Kevin McGrath testified that he watched McDonough forge the excuse line on absentee ballots ahead of the 2009 primary. [TU] [Troy Record]

The former comptroller of the Avila Retirement Community was sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for stealing more than $1.5 million from the org. [TU]

Schenectady police say a 14 year old was badly beaten by a group of attackers Monday in Mont Pleasant (map). There have been no arrests. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]

A state helicopter and a Troy K9 unit were part of a search Monday night in South Troy. TPD says a driver hit a police car, then drove off, eventually fleeing on foot. [TU] [News10]

The group hoping to preserve St. Patrick's in Watervliet argues tonight's planned rezoning vote for the property is illegal. [TU]

Saratoga Springs has been digging new wells in response to a state order to arrange a backup water supply. [TU]

Hot topic among Troy economic development officials: downtown parking. [TU]

The town of Colonie's website has been down since Friday. [TU]

People are irked that TWC is now charging $3.95/month to rent a cable modem. [News10]

A hookah lounge is planned for Schenectady (map). [TU]

A group of SCCC culinary students baked 500 pies for local charities' Thanksgiving dinners. [Daily Gazette]

Laura James -- a Cambridge native -- won the college version of America's Next Top Model. She says it was a victory for "curvy" women. (That would be "curvy" by fashion model standards.) [TU] [Daily Gazette] [ANTM]