All Over Albany

Rivenburgh sentenced for Rotterdam murders, Siena poll: New Yorkers blame congressional Republicans for shutdown, federal government spied on Steinmetz during WWI

Brice Rivenburgh was sentenced to 45 years to life on Tuesday, for the murder of his ex-girlfirend and her mother in their Rotterdam home in April, but still offered no answers as to why he committed the crime.[WNYT][YNN][TU]

Albany firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire that destroyed a two story wood frame home on First street Tuesday night. Firefighters say the home, which had to be demolished, could have been saved were it not for an enormous amount of clutter that kept them from gaining entry to the rear of the building, where the fire began. [TU][YNN]

A new Siena poll reports 74 percent of New Yorkers surveyed think the country is headed in the wrong direction, but 55 percent give Barack Obama a favorable rating. 59 percent blame congressional Republicans for causing the recent government shutdown. [TU][Capitol Confidential]

On Tuesday's Capitol Pressroom, a member of the Moreland Commission said Andrew Cuomo is not trying to interfere with the commission's operations, and made claims of systemic corruption in the New York State legislature. [WCNY][Daily News]

A former top counsel to Sheldon Silver, who was later convicted of the rape of a legislative staffer and remains on the sex offender registry, served on a jury in U.S. District Court is served on a federal grand jury that convicted a man from the anti-government sovereign citizen movement of tax crimes.[TU]

East Greenbush parents learned about the Common Core standards at an informational meeting last night. The Common Core -- and meetings about it -- have been spotlighted since state education commissioner John King faced and vocal and critical crowd at a meeting in Poughkeepsie. A Common Core forum with King planned for Albany starts at 4 pm on Thursday and has just been extended by an hour, to 7 pm, after parents were upset that they might not be able to attend because of the early hour. [TU][YNN]

A group of local arts venues -- including Capital Rep, SPAC, The Palace and Proctors -- expressed concern that a casino in the Capital Region could threaten their existence because it would cause competition, not so much for audiences but for top performers. The venues are calling for a limit on the size of any entertainment facility at a local casino and they say the governor's office is more willing to work with them than it was six months ago. [TU][YNN] [Gazette]

Police in Troy are investigating reports of gunshots fired on Tuesday night near Lavin Court (map).[News 10]

One of the people recruited by Lawrence Ahrens to firebomb the Rotterdam home of his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison. [TU]

Albany police are investigating an attempted robbery at Elissa Halloran Designs on Lark Street on Sunday. Police say Halloran chased the man, who was wielding a knife, out of the store. [WNYT] [APD Press Release]

A preview of Albany's Common Council races. [TU]

In Saratoga Tuesday, protestors were handing out fliers continuing their call for an investigation into the August incident that resulted in Darryl Mount in a coma following a police chase. [Saratogian]

Schenectady police have enforced a zero-tolerance policy near Mont Pleasant Middle School in an effort to stop the fights, attacks, and vandalism that have been going on in recent months. [Gazette]

Glens Falls police are prepping for today's Phish concert, after previous concerts netted a high number of violations and arrests.[TU]

JC Penney, one of the last two tenants at the current Latham Circle Mall, will close its doors in January to make way for a new shopping center on the site. [WNYT]

Heads-up: You can no longer sell or trade Eurasian Boar in New York State.[TU]

A $20,000 donation will allow 15 clubs in the Watervliet Junior-Senior high school to stay active after their funding was eliminated by the district due to budget cuts. [TU]

Chester, England -- a city with a history of horse racing -- sent a gift of limited edition racing prints to the city of Saratoga Springs in honor of the 150th anniversary of racing in the Spa City as part of an effort to develop a sister city relationship. [Saratogian]

An upcoming documentary on GE 'wizard' Charles Steinmetz indicates a colleague helped the US government spy on the scientist during World War I, to be sure the German-born Steinmetz was not a threat to national security.
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APD Press Release -- Lark Street attempted robbery

Albany police are investigating an attempted robbery that occurred on Lark Street.

On Sunday October 20, 2013, at approximately 3:25 p.m., officers responded to Elisa Holloran Designs, located at 229 Lark Street, for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival, the owner told officers that a male entered the store armed with a knife and demanded money. The victim states she chased the suspect out of the store and that he fled without any proceeds.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 30's. He was last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

The investigation is still ongoing.

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