All Over Albany

Trooper hit by truck dies, construction on Albany convention center could start by June, Saratoga considers Code Blue, Waterford expecting mules

Weather conditions caused accidents all over the Capital Region on Tuesday, including a school bus that off Maxwell Road into a ditch in Colonie. Temperatures will rise back into the 30s by the weekend, and maybe even the 50s. [TU] [NWS]

The Cuomo administration says construction of the Albany convention center will start in June 2014. Word that the admin had approved the plan for the scaled-down facility at Eagle and Howard in downtown Albany just leaked out Tuesday. [Cuomo admin] [Biz Review]

Trooper David Cunniff, whose cruiser was hit by a tractor trailer on the Thruway on Monday night, died on Tuesday. The cause of the crash is still unclear, but investigators say neither weather conditions nor alcohol were to blame for the accident. Members of Grace Fellowship Church in Latham, where Cunniff played guitar, are remembering him for his volunteer work and as a talented musician. [TU][TWCN]

After a homeless woman apparently died from exposure earlier this week, the city of Saratoga Springs is considering instituting a Code Blue program to provide temporary shelter for homeless people during freezing nights. [TU]

The woman who oversees Albany's Code Blue program to help find shelter for homeless people in the city on frigid nights was once a homeless veteran. [TU]

A vigil is planned in Albany on Thursday night to remember homeless people who have died in the past year. [Record]

Six years after former Eliot Spitzer first floated the idea, a group of Democratic legislators have resurrected a plan to grant drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants.[TU]

A mid-level state appeals court has upheld Malta Town Supervisor Paul Sausville's re-election victory over Democratic challenger Cynthia Young. [TWCN]

Congressman Chris Gibson was among a group of government reps calling on the EPA to reevaluate the new water treatment facility at the Dewey Loeffel Landfill site, which is expected to start treating contaminated groundwater this week.[TWCN]

Moody's issued a negative outlook for Schenectady County based on reliance on reserve funds and the looming debt associated with the new Glendale Home, but still maintained the county's high bond rating. [Gazette]

After 25 years of as Rensselaer city clerk, tonight is Maureen Nardacci's last Common Council meeting. [TU]

Guilderland Republican Lee Carman will replace Christine Benedict of Colonie as the new minority leader of the Albany County Legislature. [WNYT]

Schenectady County Community College has chosen the current vice president of student affairs as its acting president. [TU]

A report released on Tuesday concludes that fewer than half of New Yorkers get the flu vaccine.[TU]

The SUNY Center for International Development at UAlbany has received $50 million in federal funding to be used to help support a new system of government in Kenya.[TU]

The recovery and adoption of the "railroad puppies" has resulted in a $25,000 grant for the Hudson Mohawk Humane Society from Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes. [TU]

A Waterford family is homeless after fire destroyed their house on Tuesday night. Also last night, a chimney fire caused extensive damage to a home in New Baltimore.[News 10][TU]

A woman driving an SUV stole a Toys for Tots Box filled with presents from the front entrance of the Glenville Walmart on Tuesday night. [TU] Update: OR NOT.

People who violate the snow emergency get towed. [WNYT]

New York's highest court has ruled that Philip Morris USA can not be held responsible for the cost of preventative medical scans for smokers. [Record]

Thirteen K-9 dogs and their handlers graduated from the State Police Academy on Tuesday after a 20 week training program.[News 10]

Troy has Uncle Sams, Saratoga has horses and ballet shoes, and now Waterford will have mules. [TU]