Six now charged with murder in fatal Troy stabbing, spin-up for Albany, the wrong yard to run through, project to survey health in Schenectady's neighborhoods
A sixth person has been arrested and charged in the murder of Takim Smith. All six people -- all 19 years old or younger -- face charges that include second-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy. Rensselaer County DA Richard McNally says, if convicted, the six could face a life sentence. Police allege the teens had lured Smith to a Corliss Park apartment in order to rob him. [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [News10]
The attorney for Becky Goodermote -- accused of hitting a cyclist on Route 22 in Rensselaer County last September, injuries from which later killed the cyclist -- says his client was not using her mobile at the time, nor was she on prescription drugs. Both allegations are part of the indictment handed up in the case. Said her attorney to WNYT: "She did not see him before she hit him, she didn't see him after she hit him. And because of that she thought she hit a deer or a sign. She wasn't certain. So she left." [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
The new group of state budget amendments includes the $7.8 million "spin up" in payments to Albany for the ESP. (The next city budget relies on that money to help close a gap, but the advance on the state's PILOT wasn't included in the original budget.) [TU]
One of Andrew Cuomo's top aides pushed back on the story about the state DOT engineer who said he resigned rather than be disciplined for talking to the press without permission. State operations director Howard Glaser alleged the engineer, Mike Fayette, misused state equipment and was engaged in a relationship with a subordinate. A 2011 DOT letter to Fayette (obtained by Capitol Tonight) said he was facing possible termination for misusing his department vehicle and "sexually explicit e-mails with a subordinate employee." And the letter sent to Fayette over the most recent situation (obtained by the TU) cites his past disciplinary record. Said Glaser on TALK 1300: "It is not the policy of this administration to terminate people solely for improper contact with the press ... If that were the issue here, the only issue, there would not have been a termination." [TU] [Adirondack Daily Enterprise] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [TU] [NYT]
The man pulled from a house fire in Glenmont (map) Wednesday night has died. Firefighters are investigating the cause, but think it may have started in the kitchen. [YNN] [News10]
An Albany 17 year old was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a home invasion/robbery in which he wielded a shotgun. [TU]
An Albany man got 6 years in prison for a plot that included using a stolen mobile to text a woman in order to lure her to a meet, then pistol whipping her and robbing her. [TU]
State Police say a recent traffic stop on the Thruway in Rotterdam led to them finding almost 13 pounds of cocaine. [TU]
Where not to run while fleeing the police: through the backyard of an off-duty Rensselaer County corrections officer. [WNYT]
The Albany Common Council approved the new lines for the city's wards, a process that had been contentious after some council members argued the independent commission that drew the lines had unnecessarily split some neighborhoods with the new boundaries. [TU]
The Troy City Council has tabled the proposed parolee registry. [Troy Record]
Schenectady County's top-paid employee last year: Metroplex chair Ray Gillen. [Daily Gazette]
A large coalition of orgs has started a project, called UMatter Schenectady, to survey a bunch of factors that affect the health of people in the city's neighborhoods. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Kathy Marchione says the first donation from her pension is going to Hannah's Hope. (Marchione pledged to donate her pension while she draws a salary as a state Senator.) [Saratogian]
Spotlight Newspapers is stopping the Saratoga County Spotlight, citing rising costs and a loss of advertising revenue. [Spotlight]
Skidmore has canceled its spring men's soccer season because of a hazing incident. [YNN]
The 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base, just back from Antarctica, is preparing to fly to Greenland next month. [News10]
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