Halfmoon supervisors facing federal and state charges, Schenectady targets "problem bars," the Black Bridge once again open, grow room allegedly found in Albany house, invasion of the 8-inch worms

Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth turned herself in on federal and state charges Thursday, appearing in both federal and county court. Wormuth faces two federal charges -- prosecutors allege she took $7,500 in cash in "consultant fees" to lobby state legislators in her official capacity in favor of the legalization of professional mixed-martial arts bouts in New York State. She pleaded not guilty. The state charges are related to her alleged admission that she personally cashed checks worth thousands of dollars in campaign contributions without accounting for the money. The charges against Wormuth have prompted a call for her to resign, and accusations of "a bigger systemic issue" in the town. (Wormuth is already on 30-day leave from the supervisor's office, and her term ends this year.) [TU] [YNN] [US DOJ] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]

Of the seven bars that prompted more than 1,000 police calls over the past two years, Schenectady police have gotten six of them shut down -- and the seventh could be closed soon. [Daily Gazette]

Among the issues discussed at a forum that included three of the candidates for Albany mayor: taxes, the landfill, and keeping graduates from local colleges. [TU]

Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson are pointing the finger of blame for the federal government shutdown at different targets. [Troy Record]

Currently at issue in the back and forth in the developing race between Chris Gibson and Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge for the NY19: Which is worse, money from PACs and a rich person pouring his own money in to the campaign? [TU]

A bit unusual, if only because of the their respective party affiliations: Kirsten Gillibrand is scheduled to make two appearances with Chris Gibson today in Columbia and Greene counties -- one of the stops is about legislation related to Lyme disease. [State of Politics]

The state's highest court upheld an emergency exception to the usual rules for questioning a suspect without reading the suspect his or her Miranda rights. [TU]

A new state Department of Environmental Conservation program in which businesses are incentivized to self-report pollution violations is getting praise from industry -- and skepticism from environmental groups. [TU]

The 2011 crash on Washington Ave in Albany in which a State Police vehicle ran through a red light during a chase, hitting a cab, has resulted in a $120k settlement with one of the people in the cab -- and another settlement appears to be in the future. [TU]

New York State has awarded $100 million in subsidies for solar projects around the state in the last year. [TU]

The union that represents about 200 employees set to be laid off as part of GE's plan to close a plant in Fort Edward alleges the company hasn't been forthcoming with financial info about the plant. [Daily Gazette]

Among the issues discussed at a forum for the two Saratoga Springs mayoral candidates: parking, casinos, and bar closing times. [Saratogian]

One of the issues in the Malta supervisor election: zoning, and whether new rules create an "urban vision" of the town center. [TU]

Domestic violence is the second most common crime in Saratoga County, according to the executive director of Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County. [TU]

A Troy man faces a string of charges after police say he led them on a chase from Glenville to Schenectady, in the process hitting a person with his vehicle. The driver is also accused of pushing a woman out of the vehicle while it was still moving. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office is looking for a suspect it says held up a Dunkin' Donuts in Clifton Park with a handgun. [YNN]

Schenectady police say they've arrested two teens for the alleged theft of 16 mobile phones, cash, and other items from a visiting team's locker room at Union College. [TU]

The Albany County Sheriff's Office says it arrested an Albany man after 47 marijuana plants were allegedly found growing in the basement of his house just off Whitehall Road (map). [ACSO] [ACSO]

This article is about a speeding ticket Albany County exec Dan McCoy got in Menands back in May, but maybe more than anything it highlights the tight web of interpersonal connections between members of the area's political scene. [TU]

Sites in Albany (Sheridan Hollow) and Colonie (Lincoln Ave) are getting brownfields revitalization grants from the state. [Cuomo admin]

Vanderheyden Hall -- a family services org in North Greenbush -- traces its roots back to the Troy Orphan Asylum in 1833. [TU]

Popular Halloween costumes at a local shop this year: zombies and Duck Dynasty. [Daily Gazette]

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