All Over Albany

Albany County legislature passes pharmacy tobacco ban, downtown Albany building could be imploded, Schenectady reviewing policies after house explosion

The Albany County Legislature has passed a bill that would ban stores with pharmacies from selling tobacco products. County exec Dan McCoy's office didn't say whether he intends to sign it, but says there will be a public hearing about the bill. [TU] [News10]

Ryan Place -- the Milton man convicted of kidnapping and tormenting his former girlfriend near Saratoga Lake last summer -- was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Said Rebecca Lefevre in court: "There's a sense of right and wrong and remorse that separates monsters from men. And this is something that Ryan Place inherently seems to lack." Place continued to assert that he did not kidnap Lefevre. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]

In a change of course, Columbia Development tells the Biz Review it's considering implosion for the demolition of the old Wellington annex building in downtown Albany. The building is being demo'ed for the Albany convention center project. (And apparently official word on the possible implosion is being closely held.) [Biz Review] [TU]

New York State's policy on which emails employees should retain or delete is 118 pages long -- and open government advocates say in many cases it's probably too quick to order deletion. [Pro Publica]

The vacant house that exploded in Schenectady Sunday from an apparent gas leak had been taken over by the city in 2012 following a foreclosure. The city doesn't have a policy on whether utilities should be shut off at such homes. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Members of NYSUT -- the state teachers union -- rallied outside the state Education Building against the standardized tests associated with the Common Core standards. The rally also took aim at the $33 million contract the state has with Pearson for the tests. The rally included people "dressed as top-hatted, stogie-smoking billionaires" to satirize the company. [News10] [WNYT] [TU]

A state Supreme Court judge rejected an attempt by Andrew Cuomo's campaign to have Democratic primary challenger Zephyr Teachout bounced from the ballot over residency issues. [NYT]

November approaches: The mayor of Schuylerville has admitted to removing campaign signs that belong to a candidate in a town justice election. [TU]

Schenectady police say two officers were shot with BBs in Hamilton Hill Monday. SPD says two young teens were arrested. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Troy is looking at its options for police and fire dispatch as it faces a 75 percent increase in the fee it would have to pay Rensselaer County for dispatch next year. [TU]

GlobalFoundries' Malta payroll produces $13.3 million in annual state income taxes and $13.7 million in local property taxes, according to an analysis by the Saratoga Economic Development Corp. [TU]

The Saint Rose adjuncts's vote on whether to unionize is set for this September. [TU]

A building on Columbia Place in Albany near the county court house and the state Court of Appeals partially collapsed Monday. Construction crews were inside at the time, but no one was hurt, according to officials. [TU] [News10]

The city of Troy is aiming to have the Spring Street replacement bridge open by Memorial Day 2015. [Troy Record]