All Over Albany

Troy police chief at odds with city administration, smoking highlighted as health problem in Schenectady, Holloway house sold

Troy police chief John Tedesco -- who recently notified to the city that he plans to sue over the appointment of a police commissioner, positioned in the city hierarchy above him -- says that all of his duties have been taken over by the commissioner, and alleges the department's police officers' union was behind the creation of the commissioner's job and that it is now running the department. Tedesco: "If you don't like the fire chief or the police chief, then fire them. But they don't have grounds to do that so they effectively dismissed me by failing to allow me to do my job." [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN]

Members of Halfmoon's town board have gone to court in an effort to remove supervisor Mindy Wormuth from office. Wormuth is facing state and federal charges. [WNYT] [TU]

During a public hearing Monday the state Moreland Commission grilled reps from the state Board of Elections about its lack of enforcement. [TU]

Good-government groups are continuing to push against the description of -- and the campaigning for -- the state ballot question that would open the way for full casinos in the state. [TU] [State of Politics]

Now that a citywide health survey has identified top health priorities in Schenectady, work groups will focus on cutting down on health disparities and addressing preventable health conditions. One target issue: the survey concluded that 37 percent of the adults in the city smoke. [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TU]

A state Supreme Court justice heard arguments Monday in the effort by a "constitutional activist" to get Sheldon Silver to cover the $100k paid by the state Assembly to two staffers allegedly harassed by Vito Lopez. Robert Schulz is arguing the Assembly shouldn't have footed the bill for the payments. [TU] [WNYT]

Commenting that the case involves "unusual and complex facts," a federal magistrate has extended the deadline for an indictment in the potential death penalty case against Robert A. Butler, accused of starting the Schenectady fire that killed three children and their father this past May. [TU]

Police and school district officials say there is still no evidence that indicates the Schalmont High School student who committed suicide earlier this month was bullied. But, said the district superintendent in a letter to parents: "bullying is an issue that permeates schools throughout the country, and I am not naïve to believe that Schalmont is immune." [Daily Gazette] [News10]

State Police say they stopped a 64-year-old woman on the Northway in Wilton and allegedly found 4.6 ounces of cocaine. Officials say the woman -- who's from Whitehall -- doesn't fit the profile of a typical drug courier, but they allege she was transporting for a group that distribute drugs from NYC to Vermont. [NYSP] [Post-Star]

Thirteen fire departments were called to tackle a brush fire on the Albany-Greene county border Monday that lasted 10 hours. [News10]

There are competing versions of events as to why plans for the venue for a party for hundreds of UAlbany students in downtown Troy fell through October 19, resulting in an an unexpected crowd on 4th Street. [TU]

An economic development forum this week in Colonie will be using an approach called "appreciative inquiry" to draw out Capital Region infrastructure needs for growing the local economy. Desires from a Times Union-prompted wish list from locals: faster internet access and better mass transit. [TU] [TU]

The Schenectady city council is seemingly deadlocked on a 2014 budget, in part because of members' different perceptions of risk. [Daily Gazette]

Issue at center of the race for Mechanicville mayor: city finances. [TU]

Construction is underway on the SCCC classroom space in downtown Albany, and registration for classes there will start soon. [Troy Record]

Brian Holloway's house in Stephentown -- scene of the now infamous party -- was sold at auction Tuesday morning. [TU]

SPAC announced that The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will have a three-week residence at the Spa Little Theater next summer. SPAC's president says the musicians who head up the society are "rock stars of the classical music world." [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]