All Over Albany

Scharfenberger to be ordained bishop today, U.S. attorney criticizes disbanding Moreland, state police crackdown on distracted driving

Edward Scharfenberger will be ordained Bishop of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese today at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in a ceremony at 2 pm. There will be parking restrictions and traffic delays in the area surrounding the cathedral. Bishop Howard Hubbard says that even though he's stepping down from leading the diocese he will continue to serve as a priest. [TU] [TWCN] [TU]

A US attorney is criticizing Andrew Cuomo's decision to disband the Moreland Commission and is taking possession of all of the panel's case files. [NYT]

New York State health commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah will step down in June to take an executive position with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan in California. During his tenure, Shah found himself at the center of the fracking controversy. [TU][Gazette]

The head of the state Gaming Commission said at a public hearing about problem gambling that the commission would be focused on the issue and will "foster a responsible environment for the gaming industry." Said the the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling: "We can't wait for casinos to expand before pumping money into the [anti-addiction] programs." [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Sentiment at a Bethlehem public meeting on the proposed E23 casino ran against the project. [TU]

Albany County is suing three furniture stores that allegedly provided unsanitary mattresses to the poor through county programs. Said Albany County executive Dan McCoy: "When you opened them up, it looked likes someone was killed on the mattress."[TWCN][TU]

A UAlbany student was found dead in his dorm room -- school officials are investigating but say the death doesn't appear to have been suspicious.[TU]

The Troy city council's public safety committee has temporarily tabled a measure that would fine officers who tried to stop people from legally taking photos or video of them. [TWCN]

The Wynanstskill woman charged with the murder of an elderly Albany man in her care pleaded not-guilty to charges on Wednesday in Albany County Court.[TU]

A convicted felon has been charged with a February 16 shooting death of a man outside the Port Tavern on South Pearl Street in Albany.[TU]

An Albany man is charged with impersonating a deputy US Marshal, but details surrounding the incident are still being withheld.[TU]

A Brooklyn man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to federal identity theft charges for his part in swindling over half a million from Price Chopper using gift cards purchased with counterfeit credit cards. [TU]

An audit from the state comptroller's office found that errors in the state Department of Taxation and Finance's paper income tax refund program delayed refunds to more than a million people in 2013.[TU]

The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing a minimum requirement of two crew members on crude oil trains, after a crude oil train operated by a single crew member derailed and exploded killing 47 people in Quebec.[TU]

The Green Party's Howie Hawkins has announced a second run for governor and
is seeking the support of the Working Families party. [TWCN][TU]

Schenectady's school board approved a $164.3 million budget that will come with a 2.75 percent tax increase.[Gazette]

Saratoga County's year-end surplus has nearly doubled from one year ago from $10.5 million to $20.2 million. [Gazette]

Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen says she'll confirm a group of about 20 late-term appointments of her predecessor to city boards. [Saratogian]

An 84-year-old Schenectady woman whose daughter was murdered 29 years ago in California was honored this week for her efforts to help other families of homicide victims in the city. [Gazette]

State Police are cracking down on distracted driving this week, looking for drivers who are using phones without a hands-free device or texting while driving. [NYS Police]

Union College hockey coach Rick Bennett, who led the Dutchman to the Frozen Four this year, has been named Hockey Coach of the Year by the American Hockey Coaches Association.[TU]