All Over Albany

Death puts focus on resources for the homeless in Saratoga County, big turnout for casino meeting, Colonie trying to shut down "disgusting" motel

Police say it appears Nancy Pitts, the homeless woman found dead behind the Saratoga Senior Center last week, died of exposure, though that has not yet been confirmed by autopsy (map). Her death has focused attention the extent of facilities for the homeless in the Saratoga area. Saratoga Springs has a shelter, but it's for temporary drop-ins, there are no emergency shelters in all of Saratoga County. Said an official from Shelters of Saratoga about the situation: "I don't think any of us should settle for the fact that folks are going to die out there." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TWCN]

Temperatures dipped below zero overnight and forecasted lows for tonight are in the teens. [NWS] [NWS]

In the "top tier" of Andrew Cuomo's agenda for next year: the proposed two-year property tax freeze, jobs, ethics reform. [State of Politics] [TU]

Also from the Cuomo cabinet meeting: the state health commissioner said the review of hydrofracking is still ongoing and, "The process needs to be transparent at the end, not during." Cuomo on the long-delayed review: "I want the right decision ... Not necessarily the fastest decision." [State of Politics] [NYT]

More than a thousand people showed up for a panel about a potential full casino in Saratoga Springs -- a plan with few specific details, apparently. Among the skeptics: Saratoga Springs mayor elect Joanne Yepsen. Among the arguments from those opposing a casino: a majority of voters in Saratoga County voted against the amendment to allow full casinos in the state. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [News10]

A State Police trooper was seriously injured on the Thruway near Amsterdam Monday night when, State Police say, a tractor trailer hit the trooper's car on the side of the road. [NYSP] [TWCN]

The state Board of Regents are asking for a $1.3 billion increase in funding for schools -- most of it to close gaps between rich and poor districts. Schenectady's schools superintendent -- who recently delivered a complaint to federal officials over school funding -- is pushing for any extra funding to go to "districts who have been most significantly harmed for a number of years." [State of Politics] [TU] [Daily Gazette]

The union that represents employees at the GE plant in Fort Edward that's closing is accusing Andrew Cuomo of not making an effort to the save the plant. The governor called the accusation "factually not accurate." [News10] [WNYT]

At the appeal of the Malta town supervisor ballot count in state Supreme Court: Was tossing two ballots with clear votes for Young because of writing on the back of the ballot "disenfranchising these voters" or does it "protect the integrity of the voting process." [Daily Gazette] [TU]

The Saratoga County board of supervisors has agreed to sell the county nursing home to a private company for $14.1 million. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Colonie police say they started a child pornography investigation into a town of Clifton Park employee when the man brought his computer into a Colonie business to have work done on it and the business allegedly found suspicious videos on the computer and reported them to police. The town says the man has been placed on administrative leave. [Saratogian] [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Grafton town officials say a settlement with a former supervisor is sealed -- the expert on the state's opening meeting and information laws says it probably shouldn't be. [TU]

A Colonie official on a Central Ave motel the town is trying to shut down after a recent inspection: "In a word, it was disgusting." [TU]

The topic that apparently tipped a Troy planning board meeting about a proposed rebuild of a Lansinburgh Stewart's into the "especially strained" category: a suggestion that the company include electric car chargers at the store. [Troy Record]