All Over Albany

Criticism and questions about new gun law, SCCC opening classroom space in Albany, plan to demolish Schenectady train station, weed dating

I-90 near Everett Road in Albany was closed for about an hour Friday morning because it looked like a man was going to jump from the Everett overpass, Albany police say. [TU]

Good government groups are criticizing the provision of the new state gun control law that allows people to request to have their gun license info withheld from being publicly available. [TU]

The new law has apparently prompted a lot of questions at gun stores. [Fox23]

Organizers of the Saratoga Arms Fair say the recent gun show had record-high attendance and sales. [Saratogian]

The Cuomo admin has hired an accounting firm to audit spending and procurement practices during the Sandy response. [TU]

Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia has officially appointed Tony Magnetto as police commissioner, and if confirmed, he'll oversee police chief John Tedesco. Though he didn't comment on the appointment, Tedesco has previously said the decision to re-institute the commissioner position is a political move (there's been friction between Tedesco the the Democrat-controlled city council). By the way: Magnetto was Tedesco's best man. [YNN] [Troy Record] [TU]

Schenectady County Community College is partnering with Albany County to build classroom space in a county building on State Street in downtown Albany (streetview) for courses that are projected to eventually draw 1,000 students. Students will be allowed to park in the TU Center parking garage, and they also get free bus passes. SCCC president Quinton Bullock says it's the first step to creating a formal extension in Albany County. County exec Dan McCoy framed the idea as a collaboration between communities and a convenience for students in the city. An undercurrent to this announcement: Albany County's reimbursement rate when students attend SCCC is much lower than when they attend HVCC. [Albany County] [YNN] [News10] [TU]

A Public Service Commission audit has concluded that National Grid overcharged customers by $44 million -- the utility says that accusation is "seriously flawed." [Daily Gazette] [TU]

A "known political rabble-rouser in North Greenbush" has accused Rensselaer County officials of changing the requirements for a county position in order to accommodate a former county legislator. [Troy Record]

During his state of the city speech Thursday, Saratoga Springs mayor Scott Johnson announced the formation of a committee to review the city's comprehensive plan. [YNN] [Saratogian]

Jerry Jennings will give his state of the city address at Kiernan Plaza this year (map). The former train station (and after that, bank headquarters) is slated to become a business incubator associated with UAlbany's CNSE -- and the college is negotiating to buy the building. (The speech is open to the public, which makes it a good chance to see the inside of what is reportedly a beautiful building.) [city hall press release] [TU]

A Rockland County man accused of accidentally shooting himself and his ladyfriend during a visit to Schenectady in October has been charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment. [Daily Gazette]

Schenectady police say they found a pound of cocaine -- and guns -- in a Mont Pleasant home (area map). [Fox23]

The owner of an Adirondack rafting company was found not guilty of reckless endangerment for a 2010 incident in which he sent a two rafters down a river without a guide. The company still faces other legal problems -- the most prominent of which is the state AG's attempt to shut down the company following the death of a customer last fall. [Adirondack Almanack] [TU]

CDTA has plans to demolish the Schenectady train station and build a new facility. [TU]

CDTA has proposed raising the price of parking at the Rensselaer train station (current rates). [CDTA]

Dan Butler -- who's run the Saratoga County Animal Shelter for 35 years -- is retiring. [Saratogian]

The Parker Inn -- next to Proctors in downtown Schenectady -- is for sale. [Daily Gazette]

A Stillwater woman won $3 million on a scratch-off lottery ticket. [Troy Record]

Among the many ways the internet has helped farmers: "weed dating." [TU]

The local couple who was waiting to kiss until they to got married will be featured on 20/20 tonight. [TU]