One dead in fire, man charged in "railroad puppies" case charged again, charter school foundation CFO accused of stealing, SPD: stripper party was "poor judgment"
Albany fire officials say one person was found dead after an early morning fire just off Delaware Ave (map). They initially thought no one had been in the house fire, but later found the body during the final stage of knocking down the fire. Officials haven't released info on the person, and the fire is under investigation. Eyewitness account from across the street. [TU] [YNN] [News10] [DelSo]
Three buildings were demolished on Dove Street in Albany after a fire late Friday afternoon (map). AFD says it was a difficult fire to fight because it hard to get to the rear of the buildings. A tenant of one of the buildings tells the TU that he had been trying to thaw frozen pipes with a kerosene heater. Twenty-two people have been displaced. [TU] [@John_Eddy_] [@g_p_g] [@rjpalumbo24] [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
A Niskayuna man reported missing Friday was found dead in woods near Rosendale and River roads Saturday. NPD says it's investigating and an autopsy has been scheduled. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The man recently charged in connection with the "railroad puppies" case has been arrested again -- Colonie police say the man has been charged with torturing and injuring animals after four emaciated dogs were found locked in a UHaul truck outside a motel on Central Ave. [TU] [News10]
The former CFO for the Brighter Choice Foundation has been charged with grand larceny, accused of stealing more than $200k from the charter school org. And it turns out the man had previously admitted to stealing more than $50k from Key Bank. [YNN] [TU]
Because of the new state gun control legislation, the Remington factory in Herkimer County -- which makes the type of gun used in the Newtown shooting, and has been subsidized by the state -- now makes a gun that's illegal to own in New York State. [TU]
It turns out there is a cost for doing nothing on the Albany convention center project. [TU]
NYRA's CEO is resigning -- and joining other former exec in suing for fees and severance. Also: new board member Bobby Flay was critical of Belmont and Aqueduct at a board meeting on Friday, but "Saratoga is like the supermodel that just keeps getting prettier." [TU] [Saratogian]
At a conference for the Conservative Party this past weekend in Colonie, the coalition between state Senate Republicans and Independent Democrats was met with skepticism. Also not popular: the new gun control law. And Grover Norquist was there to supply the Ronald Reagan references. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
A group of Schenectady police officers will be disciplined for "poor judgement" in connection with a holiday party that included strippers. SPD says there was "no credible evidence" that officers broke any laws. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Former Schenectady schools superintendent Eric Ely -- he was there during the Steven Raucci episode -- has resigned from a superintendent job near Worcester following misconduct complaint. The TU reports that property records indicate Ely still owns a house in Schenectady. [Worcester Telegram & Gazette] [TU]
The Saratoga Springs school district is cracking down on students who have fallen behind on their lunch debts. [Saratogian]
In downtown Schenectady free parking is sometimes $5... unless it's not. [Daily Gazette]
The city of Albany has told the White Couch church that it doesn't have the proper certificate to occupy the former Jillian's building on Pearl Street. [TU]
One lane in each direction on the Dunn Memorial Bridge will be closed until February 8 so screening in place to protect peregrine falcons can be removed. [Troy Record]
A Clifton Park woman is organizing a drive to send children's books to Afghanistan so troops can read to their kids via Skype. [TU]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?