All Over Albany

Residents call for safer street after boy's death, thousands rally against fracking, McLaughlin "considering" run for governor, man says he was "just being an idiot"

Residents of the housing complex along South Pearl Street in Albany where 7-year-old Qazir Sutherland was hit by a car Saturday evening -- and later died from his injuries -- pushed for better safety measures along the street at Monday's Common Council meeting. Remarked a woman who said she saw Sutherland hit: "People are always just driving by here like crazy ... We got kids running around playing and there ain't a crosswalk or a stoplight in sight." Common Councilman Lester Freeman, who represents the South End, urged quick action: "There are children's lives in danger, right down there on South Pearl Street as I talk to you right now." Albany police are investigating the accident -- they say the driver stopped when it happened and was interviewed by officers. [WNYT] [TU] [YNN] [News10]

Mourners gathered along the route of the motorcade carrying the body of Army Lt. Col. Todd Clark, recently killed in Afghanistan, from ALB to Christian Brothers Academy Monday morning (photos). [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Timothy Kaufman -- who had been living in Clifton Park, and now sits in the Rensselaer County jail awaiting extradition to the Philippines on charges he killed two people -- writes in a letter to the Times Union that he's being set up and would not get a fair trial if extradited. [TU]

The issues apparently on the plate during this last week of the session for the state legislature: the university tax-free zones, casinos, binding arbitration for distressed cities, and privatizing the Long Island Power Authority. Apparently off the plate: campaign finance reform and Andrew Cuomo's 10-point women's agenda, of which state Senate IDC leader Jeff Klein says won't pass because of an abortion rights provision. That prompted blame of the IDC -- a small group of Democrats who controls the state Senate in coalition with Republicans -- from Cuomo and advocates. [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]

A Siena poll out Monday reports that Andrew Cuomo's favorability rating is at the lowest point of his term as governor, 58 percent. And 52 percent of respondents said Sheldon Silver should step down as speaker. [Siena SRI]

Thousand of people rallied outside the state Capitol Monday against fracking. Among the speakers: Natalie Merchant. [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU]

State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, who represents much of Rensselaer County, says he's considering a run for governor next year, in large part because of his opposition to the NY SAFE Act. Said McLaughlin to Capital Tonight: "I think this governor is starting to wear thin on everyone, especially in upstate New York." [TU] [YNN]

The re-trial of a man accused of a triple stabbing near Washington Park following Lark Fest in 2009 has started. [TU]

A Schenectady man convicted of shooting a man at point blank range in 2011 professed his innocence before being sentenced to 25 years in prison. [TU]

An accountant pleaded guilty to stealing $100k from an East Greenbush printing company (he also has one of the ultimate sad-face mug shots). [TU]

A man who was linked to the 2011 theft from an Albany church's safe by blood investigators found on the safe -- and then used that blood to check against a DNA database -- has pleaded guilty. [Albany County DA]

Waterford police say a man accused of driving his car on railroad tracks explained to an officer that he was "just being an idiot." [Troy Record]

Troy police say a man crossing Hoosick Street on a bike was hit by a vehicle Monday night and sustained a serious head injury. [TU]

A community meeting about a proposed housing facility for homeless alcoholics in Troy included some strong opposition from neighbors. [Troy Record]

Albany County DA David Soares is in a dispute with a county legislative committee and county comptroller Mike Conners over vacation time paid out to an ADA who Soares says was fired for cause. [TU]

A recent Schenectady County legislature vote to increase funding for firefighter staffing on emergency response teams prompted allegations of cross-party endorsement shenanigans. [Marv Cermak]

Saratoga Springs is considering stronger oversight of taxi drivers. [Saratogian]

The NYCLU has expressed some concerns the city of Saratoga Springs' plan to install surveillance cameras on downtown streets. [Saratogian]

The re-formulated -- and now under-the-tax-cap -- Niskayuna school district budget is back up for a vote today after voters rejected an above-the-cap budget earlier. [Daily Gazette]

Saratoga County's director of public health says the fox that bit a boy in the town of Saratoga recently tested positive for rabies. [Saratogian]

Chuck Schumer has joined the push to get Amtrak to allow people to take bicycles along on routes between New York City and Canada. [TU]

Cricket players in Schenectady are asking the city more playing space. [Daily Gazette] Earlier: Something wicket this way comes