All Over Albany

"Nano Utica" spreads chip focus beyond Capital Region, wild scene at court hearing, planning commission approves Troy adult boutique

The Cuomo admin announced the creation of "Nano Utica," a public-private computer chip partnership headed up by the SUNY NanoCollege that will include $1.5 billion in private investment and 1,000 jobs. The Utica plan is based on replicating the model at the NanoCollege facility in Albany, with the hope of eventually siting new chip fabs near Utica. The project is reportedly an effort by the Cuomo admin to spread out the concentration of chip research and production from the Capital Region. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Biz Review]

Said the grandmother of Takim Smith at the first sentencing of the group involved with his murder: "I want them to know that I forgive them. It still hurts and I feel this raw pain, but I forgive them." [TU]

Lawrence Ahrens -- convicted of planning the firebombing of his former girlfriend's new boyfriend's home and vehicle in Rotterdam -- was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He arrived in court wearing a "Snitches Get Stitches" t-shirt. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Schenectady public safety official say the house fire in Vale neighborhood Wednesday was set by a man who was arrested later that day. Officials credited a multi-agency task force for the quick arrest. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

A Rensselaer County court appearance Wednesday reportedly including a wrestling match involving 13 officers, the defendant, and pepper spray. [TU]

Albany police say they're investigating an incident in which a group of men entered an apartment in the Pine Hills neighborhood (block map) with what appeared to be a rifle, tied up three men with duct tape, and then took with off with property. APD says "the crime does not appear to be a random act." [APD FB]

A reported sexual assault thats stirred up the Union College community turned out to have apparently been false. [TU]

The Ballston town board voted to turn off its connection from the Saratoga County Water Authority supply because of concerns about levels of lead and byproducts from chlorination. [Saratogian]

Jerry Jennings, Dan McCoy, and John McDonald turned out for a news conference Thursday to support the proposal for full casinos in New York State (with the hope that one will be in the Capital Region). [TU]

A standing-room-only crowd turned out for a public hearing in Rotterdam to oppose a plan to switch from the town's non-profit ambulance service to a private company. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

HVCC officially unveiled its new $47 million science center, which it says will allow it to increase enrollment in science programs. [Troy Record] [TU]

Troy's planning commission voted to approve the "adult boutique" planned for a spot on 2nd Ave in Lansingburgh (map). [TU]

A group of business owners along Albany Street in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood have organized to fight a persistent litter problem. Part of the fight: naming businesses that aren't cooperating with the project. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]

Transfinder -- the company with the new headquarters on State Street in downtown Schenectady -- is in the business of assisting with the scheduling and optimal routing of school buses. [Daily Gazette]