All Over Albany

Focus on TPD actions while breaking up nightclub incident, concerns about oil shipments, brawl after Union-RPI hockey game

Troy police say six people were arrested in connection with an incident in which "numerous persons were engaged in arguments and physical confrontations" early Saturday morning at Kokopellis on Fourth Street downtown. TPD says six officers were treated at a hospital for injuries, and the rear window of a police car was broken. TPD also says "officers were subject to kicking, punching, pepper spray and a fire extinguisher being completely emptied via the spraying of the powder content on the officers." Here's a walkthrough of club surveillance video from WNYT. A mobile phone video from inside the club shows officers subduing a man with what appears to be a baton, including after the man is on the floor. A TPD spokesperson described the officer's actions as "pain compliance techniques." The Troy City Council's Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet with police officials Monday evening to discuss the incident and the events depicted in the video. Said council president Rodney Wiltshire: "We will accept nothing less than a full and complete investigation into this and are prepared to conduct our own investigation into this." TPD says officers were initially called to the scene after the nightclub decided to shut things down because of people smoking pot. [TPD] [WNYT] [YouTube] [WNYT] [TU] [News10] [TU]

SPAC, the Saratoga City Center, and downtown Saratoga Springs business owners say they're concerned a full casino in Saratoga Springs would draw events and traffic away from the city's downtown. [TU]

Here's a closer look at what the Cuomo admin's proposed two-year "property tax freeze" could actually involve, using Schenectady and Colonie as examples. [TU]

Many Capital Region school districts aren't happy with their state funding in the Cuomo admin's proposed budget. [TU]

Local officials -- and residents of Albany's South End -- are expressing concerns about the plan to build a facility for heating crude oil for loading at the Port of the Albany. (The port has become a major node in the distribution network for crude oil from North Dakota.) [Troy Record] [TU]

The board of directors for NYSUT -- the large state teachers union -- unanimously approved a "no confidence" resolution against state education commissioner John King over the state's implementation of the Common Core. (There's also apparently some amount of turmoil within the union right now.) [NYSUT] [TU] [State of Politics]

An apparent side effect of Troy's attempt to collect property taxes on a group of properties that sit on the city's border with Brunswick: the neighboring town has changed its assessment of the portion of Troy's golf course that's in Brunswick, resulting in an almost $11k tax increase. [TU]

Carl Paladino continued to push for a Donald Trump gubernatorial run this past weekend at the annual state Conservative Party winter conference in Colonie. Paladino said a recent dinner with Trump convinced him Trump is serious about possibly running. [TU] [State of Politics]

New York State has put up $5 million for events related to this year's Super Bowl. [TU]

A fire early Saturday morning damaged the El Mariachi on Hamilton in Albany. [TU]

A Saratoga County man who recently passed away at age 98 had been a member of a volunteer fire department for 77 years. [Saratogian] [TU]

Remembering the owner of Kenneth's Taste Bud, the longtime Albany Caribbean restaurant, who recently passed away. [TU]

A day ice fishing on Lake George. [TU]

Arthur's Market in Schenectady's Stockade neighborhood has re-opened -- as a coffee shop. [Daily Gazette]

After the Mayor's Cup hockey game between Union and RPI at the TU Center Saturday -- a 2-1 RPI win -- there was a brawl between the two teams. Even the coaches had to be restrained -- and Union's coach has been suspended for two games. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
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TPD: Six arrests made in early morning disturbance

At approximately 2:43 am this morning (Saturday), Troy Police patrol officers were requested to assist in quelling an assault that was reported in progress at Kokopellis, 124 Fourth Street in the downtown. Upon arrival officers encountered a crowd at the door which was moving out onto the street. Upon leaving the building numerous persons were engaged in arguments and physical confrontations. Officers at the scene immediately requested back-up from all available TPD units.

Upon entering the establishment, the officers encountered heavy physical resistance and were exposed to a crowd of approximately 200-250 persons. While maintaining their original purpose of locating and assisting an assault victim (a bar employee), officers were subject to kicking, punching, pepper spray and a fire extinguisher being completely emptied via the spraying of the powder content on the officers. The officers persevered and were able to locate and remove a 23 year old assault victim who suffered lacerations and bruising to the face.

Units were also deployed outside the business, dealing with the subjects who had just left the premises. A garbage can was thrown, striking an officer and breaking out the rear window of a Troy Police patrol unit. Bottles and other objects were thrown at the officers; two officers were struck about the head with bottles. Assistance was requested and received from the New York State Police, Green Island, Watervliet, Menands, Colonie and the Cohoes Police Departments.

In all, six arrests were made and eight Troy Police Officers received injuries (six treated and released from Samaritan Hospital).