All Over Albany

Multi-million dollar judgment for harassment at jail, driver accused of hitting pregnant woman charged with DWI, book contract for Andrew Cuomo, the Colossal Colon

The state Division of Human Rights has awarded a former sergeant at the Rensselaer County jail a judgement that could be worth more than $1.8 million after a judge concluded jail leaders didn't take action to stop years of mental and physical harassment of the woman. [TU]

The fourth season of the Hudson River PCB dredging project started Monday -- about the halfway mark for the project. Also: GE has filed a lawsuit looking to get National Grid to help cover costs because Niagara Mohawk (now part of National Grid) removed a dam in the 1970s that allowed PCB-tainted sediment to go downstream. [NYSNYS/Saratogian] [TU]

The Cuomo admin has floated language for the "Public Trust Act," aimed at bribery and fraud by people in public office. [State of Politics]

A bill to raise the state's smoking age from 18 to 21 now has sponsors in both the state Senate and Assembly. [WNYT]

The Cuomo admin moved to kill a bill sponsored by Hugh Farley before it got out of committee -- the bill would have allowed check-cashing operations to also make loans. [TU] [NY Open Senate]

Betty Little is pushing a bill in the state legislature that would allow municipalities to assess condos at what is closer to their actual market value. [Post-Star]

The publisher HarperCollins says it's signed up Andrew Cuomo to write a book that will be "a full and frank look at his public and private life." The publisher is apparently backing away from plans it had for a book about Cuomo by Fred Dicker. (Citing an "administration insider," Dicker reported this week that Cuomo wouldn't run for president in 2016 if Hillary Clinton does. On Monday Cuomo tried to knock down talk about the subject.) [HarperCollins] [NYT] [NY Post] [State of Politics]

Albany police say the found dead in the South End Friday had injuries that "appear to be consistent with a fall from an elevated position," and APD is still investigating the circumstances around the death. [APD press release]

The driver accused of hitting a pregnant pedestrian in Troy Friday night has been charged with DWI. After being monitored at the hospital, the woman says doctors reported baby was not harmed. [News10] [WNYT]

Rotterdam police say two drivers have been charged with DWI after hitting each other, and then hitting buildings, early Sunday morning. [Daily Gazette]

There's a vote today on a referendum in Bethlehem about abolishing the elected position of highway superintendent -- and, of course, there's political drama behind the scenes. [TU]

The president of the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences -- James Gozzo -- is stepping down after 15 years. The college expanded significantly during his tenure. [ACPHS] [TU]

In Herkimer County and Western Mass, people living near wind power developments say the turbines have negatively affected their lives. [News10]

Recipe for an expanding deli/gourmet import store: locating near tech campuses. [Troy Record]

Jason Collins -- the NBA center who on Monday became the first major US pro-sports athlete to publicly declare that he's gay -- has a family history with Troy. Collins and his twin brother have helped out with basketball camps in the city during the summer. [SI] [TU] [News10]

Not an Onion story: the Colossal Colon -- a 40-foot replica of the human colon through which people can crawl -- is scheduled to be on display today at the Wilton YMCA. [Post-Star]
____

APD: Green Street Incident

On Friday April 26, 2013 at approximately 9:45 a.m., officers responded to 230 Green Street for a report of a person down. Upon arrival, officers located Robert Wimbush, 35, of Albany, outside of the building. He was pronounced deceased at scene.

The injuries he sustained during this incident appear to be consistent with a fall from an elevated position.

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Detective Division at (518) 462-8039.