All Over Albany

JCOPE report shows Silver's office shielded Lopez, Albany Dems endorse Sheehan, demolition of St. Patrick's tower underway

The long awaited JCOPE report on the Vito Lopez scandal was released on Wednesday. Among the details: Lopez told female employees to dress more provoctively, and asked them to do things like rub his hand or share an apartment with him, and threatened their jobs when they rebuffed his advances. The report also says the office of Sheldon Silver sheilded Lopez from public scrutiny and failing to investigate and refer initial harassment allegations . A special prosecutor in Staten Island who was conducting his own investigtion into the case found "no basis" for criminal charges against Lopez and also found Silver's office did not break the law, but "fell short of what the public has a right to expect." [NYT][WNYT][Capitol Confidential]

Albany's Democratic committee has endorsed Kathy Sheehan for mayor but not before Corey Ellis, who is also running for the seat, fought to table the motion to endorse Sheehan. [WNYT][YNN]

The 20-year-old son of the Schenectady woman charged with beating her 8-year-old grandson to death - who has been taking care of his three younger sisters while their mother is in jail - has been arrested for allegedly beating a pit bull with a shovel. [TU]

Demolition of the bell tower at the site of the former St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet was delayed again this week when someone vandalized the gas tank of a crane brought in to tear down the tower. Demolition has resumed this morning. [YNN][TU]

As crews tear down the last of St. Patrick's in Watervliet, a new Catholic church, formerly based in Troy, is opening in Watervliet. [News 10]

The five year old girl who survived the Schenectady fire that killed her father and siblings earlier this month is still in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center, suffering from sever burns. [TU]

The body of a homelessman was found Wednesday night on the Empire State Plaza.[Record]

State Police divers spent two days searching the Hudson after fisherman reported finding what appeared to be human remains.[Record]

Two Albany men are headed to prison for selling crack and heroin in the city.[Record]

State Senator Ceclia Tkaczyk is seeking to ban the dumping of hydrofracking waste from other states in New York.[WNYT]

Andrew Cuomo has tapped Alain Kaloyeros to help set up business incubators or "innovation hot spots"[Capitol Confidential]

Developers are considering turning two Troy warehouse buildings into apartments.[Record]

Bill McTygue, the brother of former Saratoga Public Works commsioner Tom McTygue is running for his brother's former post against incumbant Skip Scirocco, who won the seat from Tom McTygue in 2007.[Saratogian]

Troy's city council is considering a grafitti app like the one being used in Albany.[Record]

Over 200 people rallied against the NY Safe act in Glenville on Wednesday.[Gazette]

Heard yesterday at yet another day of testimony in Sno Kone v. Ding-a-ling : "Objection," replied Albanese. "I do not see Mr. Ding-A-Ling dancing to any music."[TU]

Saratoga County Sheriff Jim Bowen has endorsed former Stillwater town Judge and sheriff's department investigator Michael Zurlo for his job.
[WNYT]

A plan to save the Glens Falls Civic Center has fallen through , leaving the arena's future in jeopardy once again.[WNYT]

A cautionary tale for parents considering hiring a limo to take their kids to the prom.[TU]

Troopers cracked down on distracted driving on the Northway on Wednesday.[TU]

A cancer surviver's thoughts on the cost of the medication that saved her life, which was discovered by the doctors who will receive the Albany Medical Center prize tomorrow. [TU]

The town of Stillwater wants to reopen Brown's Beach on Saratoga Lake.[Gazette]

Seniors at Shen decorated the home of Deanna Rivers in an annual Senior Night tradition.[WNYT]