All Over Albany

Some frustrations with state's new health exchange, state ed commissioner says some standardized tests will be eliminated, the parrot that barks like a dog

Among the complaints from Capital Region users of the state's new health exchange: the process takes too long, and some functions of the website don't work. New York's exchange was having trouble processing applications Sunday because of a problem with a federal data network. [TU] [TU]

As the "Albany Pool" municipalities face a $130something million project to upgrade sewer systems so raw sewage stops getting dumped into the Hudson, one of the state ballot questions up for a vote next week could affect the accounting of money borrowed for sewer projects. [TU]

Stating that "a variety of pressures at the state and local level may have resulted in more testing than is needed," the state's education commissioner says there some standardized tests will be eliminated. [AP/Daily Gazette]

Troy police chief John Tedesco has informed city officials he plans to sue the city over the creation of the part-time police commissioner position, which oversees the chief. [TU]

Schenectady orgs that provide food assistance are preparing for the upcoming cut to federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits that could mean two or three fewer meals a week for a family. [Daily Gazette]

State and local fire officials are focusing on what they say is an increasing trend of kids playing with fire. [TU]

There's a push to raise the state age at which a teen is automatically charged as an adult (currently 16 years old). [Daily Gazette]

A state system for doing background checks on the buyers of gun ammunition scheduled to start in January as part of the NY SAFE Act will be pushed back because the system won't be ready. [TU]

SUNY schools around the region are identifying spaces for the Cuomo admin's Start-Up NY tax free program. [Daily Gazette]

Health issues in the city of Schenectady in need of attention, according to the results from a community health survey: asthma, diabetes, teen pregnancy, mental illness and substance abuse, and overuse of emergency services. [TU]

Troy police say a 13 year old was arrested after an alleged threat to "shoot up" a school dance with a pellet gun. TPD says students who heard the alleged threat brought their concerns to the school's resource officer. [News10] [TU]

Troy police say there was a report of multiple shots fired four blocks from the Green Island Bridge (map) Saturday night -- and then a vehicle matching the description of one of the two cars witnesses say were chasing each other ended up in Green Island, where police say two men were arrested and three guns found. Police say they believe the Green Island stop is connected with the Troy incident. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]

Albany police say there was a report that a man "inappropriately approached a group of school aged children" at a bus stop on South Pearl Street Friday morning. The father of a child tells News10 "this guy just picked her up like a father would his child." A cross guard tells WNYT she had seen a person matching the man's description previously handing out balloons. [TU] [News10] [WNYT]

East Greenbush police say a man was arrested last for allegedly falling asleep at the wheel -- with a beer in his hand. [TU]

Troy is moving to buy nine properties in order to stabilize a hill prone to landslides after Irene -- flooding from the storm caused a landslide there that endangered Route 2 (map). [TU]

After a situation in which a homeowner didn't get a tax bill from the city, a Saratoga Springs official not willing to be named tells the Times Union that a tax bill notice from the city is a courtesy, not a requirement. [TU]

Competing views from the candidates for Guilderland supervisor: taxes stayed relatively low (incumbent) | taxes are way too high (challenger). [TU]

The owner of DeJohn's and Legends on Lark Street in Albany blamed opposition from neighborhood groups over closing time issues for his decision to shut the businesses. WNYT also reports that he admitted to keeping the bars open later than their mandated 2 am closing time. [YNN] [WNYT]

Being used to keep fish out of the turbines at the Crescent Hydroelectric Project on the Mohawk in Halfmoon: underwater speakers blaring sound to scare away the fish. [Daily Gazette]

An island in the Mohawk River was sold for $10,000 at a Schenectady County auction Saturday. [Daily Gazette]

From News10: "Ticket issued after clothes litter miles of Berkshire Spur." [News10]

Begun the feting of Jerry Jennings has. [TU]

A Presbyterian church in Rensselaer has had a continuous congregation that stretches back 190 years. [Troy Record]

John O'Sullivan, a state Department of Transportation engineer who headed up many notable road projects around the Capital Region, has passed away. [TU]

For Halloween Michelle Riggi is giving out Willy Wonka chocolate bars -- some of which include golden tickets for $100 -- and information about pet adoption. And there will also be ponies. [Saratogian]

Escaped to Peebles Island: Pete, the parrot -- who barks like a dog. [TU]