All Over Albany

Feds: Schenectady school district disciplined some students differently by race, Troy adding private Washington Park to tax roll, TU Center says it's ready for foam party

Updated

Albany police say a 33-year-old woman was killed overnight in her residence on the 100 block of Lark Street (map) overnight after officers responded to a call for a shooting. APD says it has a person in custody and is investigating. [APD] [TU]

Investigators with the federal Department of Education have concluded that African-American and Latino children who misbehave in some Schenectady school district classrooms are treated more harshly than their white counterparts -- the district says it's making a series of changes to address the issue. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

A newly released audit from the state comptroller's office concludes the Albany Community Charter School could have saved between $200k and $2.3 million by purchasing its building on Krank Street rather than renting it from the Brighter Choice Foundation, and questioned fees the school has paid to the foundation. [WNYT][TU]

"Two people familiar with the matter" tell the Times Union the FBI has expanded its probe of Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth. Candidates for Halfmoon supervisor debated on Wednesday night, and though they never mentioned her by name, Wormuth was alluded to in comments about stopping corruption and writing a new chapter.[TU][TU]

Fourteen residents of the Martin Luther King apartment complex in Troy were displaced when fire broke out in a kitchen after a resident forgot to turn off an appliance.[Record]

Officials say the new $8.6 million co-generation plant at the Albany County sewer treatment facility in Menands -- the one that burns sewage to produce heat for power generation -- could save the county $480,000 a year. [TU] [Capital] [Record]

After a tax reassessment, the gated Washington Park in Troy has been placed on the tax rolls, and the city is moving to charge Washington Park Association members.[Record] [TU]

The state Senate Republican Campaign Committee has filed a motion in state Supreme Court to quash a Moreland Commission subpoena, arguing it seeks info that goes to the heart of the committee's political functions. [Capitol Confidential]

Chris Gibson has added his name to an anti-domestic surveillance bill. [TU]

Touting the promise of jobs and revenue, local business and elected officials gathered in Saratoga to make another push for a yes vote on casino expansion in New York State. [Saratogian][WNYT]

A 21-year-old Albany man will spend 18 years to life in prison after admitting he raped an 8-year-old boy in the woods near the Lincoln Park pool last year. [TU]

Two 13 year olds and a 12 year old are charged with robbery, gang assault, and unlawful imprisonment after allegedly assaulting a fellow middle school student at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk and trying to steal his money. School officials were alerted to the incident by other students.[TU][WNYT][YNN]

A Saratoga Springs man was charged with a felony count of unlawful surveillance on Tuesday for allegedly using his cell phone to peep beneath the skirt of a woman on Caroline Street. SSPD says Luis DJesus was caught when a patrolman noticed him walking behind a group of girls early Sunday morning.[TU][Saratogian]

The deputy director at the state Division of Criminal Justice Services was arrested in Queensbury early Sunday morning for public lewdness and DWI.[Capitol Confidential]

The Wilton YMCA has reopened to the public while investigators continue to look into the cause of the fire that broke out there on Monday.[WNYT]

A fire that destroyed a Ravena home overnight, displacing a family of four, is believed to have been cased by electrical problems. [TU]

Colonie's fiscal situation was the focal point of a debate between incumbent supervisor Paula Mahan and Republican challenger Todd Drake on Wednesday. [TU]

Schenectady's City Council officially approved a $79 million budget Wednesday with a 0.9 percent tax increase. [TU]

Albany Medical Center announced it received a $15.5 million contribution from an anonymous donor for its $125 million fundraising campaign for its campus expansion. The campaign has already raised has already reached raised $106.8 million. [AMC] [TU]

The Albany Roman Catholic Diocese bishop Howard Hubbard will send his official resignation letter to the Vatican Thursday, officially notifying the Pope that he's reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 (he'll probably stay on until a new bishop is selected). [YNN]

The Times Union Center says it's prepared for the crowds projected for the foam party event this weekend -- a similar event a year ago, by a different promoter, at the Washington Ave Armory resulted in what the APD called a "combative" crowd outside, and the Armory says it's changed its entry procedures to avoid a similar situation. [TU] [AOA 2012]

Motorists are being asked not to stop at the Northway roadside memorial in Halfmoon where the jersey numbers of Deanna Rivers and Christopher Stewart have been hung on trees at the spot where they died. [Gazette]

WGNA DJ Richie Phillips worked with elementary students across five counties in the Capital Region to put together an anti-bullying song. [WNYT]

An Amsterdam service dog has been named one of the top service dogs in America by the American Humane Society.[TU]
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APD: Homicide Investigation

Albany police are investigating a homicide that occurred on Lark Street.

On Thursday October 31, 2013, at approximately 12:40 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Lark Street for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim inside her residence.

The victim, a 33 year old female from Albany, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

At this time a person is in custody and the investigation is still ongoing.