All Over Albany

Two teens die in Northway crash, Troy looking for new proposals for old city hall site, UAlbany tops Siena

Two Shen high school students -- Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers -- died Saturday after police say their car was hit on the Northway by a driver who had been drinking. Two other high school students also riding in the car were seriously injured. State Police say the driver of the other vehicle -- Dennis Drue -- tested positive for alcohol in a breath test, but police are waiting on further testing before they decide on possible charges. Police say Drue had been speeding and changing lanes when he rear-ended the teens vehicle, causing it to roll over several times. [Saratogian] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [Fox23] [News10] [WNYT]

A chase that police say started in Troy (map) Friday night ended in Albany in a four-crash (map). [Troy Record] [TU]

Troy police chief John Tedesco on the current city administration: "They're trying to control me to the extent that I'm not able to do my job to the best of my ability." The city council recently voted to add a public safety commissioner to the new budget, a move Tedesco has alleged is "political retaliation." [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]

The city of Troy is looking for new development proposals for the former city hall site (map) -- the mixed-used plan proposed last year has stalled, and one of the partners pulled out of the project. The Nigro Companies, which was part of the first proposal, says it's still interested in building a project with 100 market rate rentals, a restaurant, and small grocery store. [TU] [Troy Record]

Andrew Cuomo will be in DC lobbying the federal government Sandy recovery aid. (Cuomo's already asked for $42 billion.) [State of Politics]

Kirsten Gillibrand's big win in the most recent election, along with her ability to raise money and work issues, has earned her a lot of respect in DC. [AP/Troy Record]

Community members raised money for the funeral of the Albany woman killed in last week's triple stabbing. [News10]

The first music event at the Washington Ave Armory since the venue worked out a deal with the city apparently went off without serious incident. The new setup includes re-worked entry procedures and more security. A neighborhood association president still questions whether the events are appropriate for the venue. [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]

The average salary for a full-time Thruway toll collector in 2011: $50,398. [TU]

One of the Albany city courtrooms has a partition separting the gallery from the action at the front of the room. [TU]

One of the things that might be lost if the village of Victory dissolves: the public works employee who calls you if you forget to put your garbage out. [TU]

Five hikers were resecued from the Plotterkill gorge last week after they couldn't find their way out because of darkness. [Daily Gazette]

A Saratoga County man will be competing in the World Memory Championship. [YNN]

UAlbany beat Siena 69-56 Saturday at the TU Center. The Great Danes went 21-24 from the foul line (compared to just 5-7 for the Saints). [TU] [ESPN]

Saints forward O.D. Anosike continues to be one of the nation's leaders in rebounds per game (though he only had 7 against UAlbany) -- he also wears non-prescription glasses. [ESPN] [TU]