All Over Albany

Assembly hopes to pass budget today, state aid boosted for most Capital Region school districts, mother and child hit by car on Hoosick St.

The Assembly returns to the Capitol this morning to tackle the 2013-2014 budget. Legislators are hoping to get the budget passed by the end of the day today, in time for the holiday weekend. [YNN] [WNYT]

With the exception of Voorheesville, all Capital Region schools would see significant funding restored under the state budget passed by the Senate this week. Albany's operating aid will rise 6.69 percnt.[TU]

A mother and her four year old daughter were hosptialized on Wedensday after they were hit by a car while crossing Hoosick Street in Troy. A rookie city firefighter is credited with reviving the little girl, who was not breathing when rescuers arrived. The accident has raised concerns about the busy intersection where it occurred -- the Mayor and state DOT reps about the issue and a meeting with residents about safety issues was already scheduled for tonight. [YNN][TU][News 10]

Police are looking for the man who robbed a First Niagra Bank in Lansignburgh just after it opened on Wednesday morning. The theif
got away with an undetermined amount of cash. [TU]

Police are looking for three young men who allegedly stole a donation jar from Hannoush Jewelers in Crossgates.[TU]

The deal to privatize the Albany County nursing home was tabled by the legislatures Audit and Finance Committee on Wednesday, after amendments to fund the project with $8.9 million in grant money rather than $12 million in loans to the Rockland County firm poised to run the nursing home, were rejected by the committee. [TU]

Albany County legislator Tim Nichols wants a ban on tobacco sales in county pharmacies. [WNYT]

The proposed state budget contains a quarter of a million dollars for Albany's SNUG anti-violence program.[TU]

The defendant in a weapons possession trial in Rensselaer County Court tried to alter his appearance with make-up so defendants wouldn't recognize him.[TU]

A Skidmore student reported being raped in a dorm room on Sunday night.[Saratogian]

Police in Saratoga have arrested a 24-year-old man in an ongoing investigation into cocaine distribution in the city. [Saratogian]

A former Columbia County orthodontist, considered an "elder" in the sovereign citizen movement, is facing felony tax charges and allegedly sold painkillers without an active license, swindled a fellow orthodontist aout of $300,000 illegally kept an Uzi9mm handgun and assault rifles and possessed info about armor-piercing ammunition, chlorine pipe and envelope bombs. [TU]

The Schenectady teen charged with starting the fire Luigi's restaurant in the city was denied youthful offender status by a Schenectady County judge.[Gazette]

Is the state ignoring the concerns of people over 50? [TU]

Gas and electric utilities may soon be forced to issue credits to customers for lengthy outages.[TU]

School 2 in Troy has been awarded a $4 million federal grant, but the grant stipulates that the principal of 14 years has to step down. [YNN][Record]

Niskayuna's board of education is considering cutting programs and closing the Van Antwerp Middle school or an elementary school in the district in an effort to close the multi million dollar 2013-2014 budget gap.[YNN]

Schenectady's school superintendent is proposing $8 million in cuts for the 2013-2014 school year. [Gazette]

The 20-year-old driver charged in a fatal hit and run on Henry Johnson Blvd in Albany back in February could get up to ten years in prison when he is sentenced today.[YNN]

The prosecution rested its case on Wednesday in the trial of Daquan Jones, but was unable to find a key witness - the man Jones was allegedly shooting at when he is believed to have shot a teenage girl standing nearby. [Record]

Green Waste Energy, Inc. - a Connecticut-based company that turns wast into energy, is planning a facility in Rensselaer at a former BASF site. [Record]

Saratoga's planning board approved a mixed use development at Excelsior and Marion avenue, clearing the way for a project that will include a Fresh Market, other retail shops and apartments.[Saratogian]

Recent helicopter activity over Spa State Park in Saratoga was a Back Country training exercise by the NYS Forest Rangers for physicians, physicians assistants and creitical care emergency medical technicians. [Saratogian]

Why Troy shouldn't discard plans for a South Troy riverfront park. [TU]

HVCC has eliminated spring break. [Record]

Educational fun with radioactive Skittles [YNN]