Public comments on Capital Region casinos apps, focus on police stun gun policies, red light camera plan robocalled
The state's Gaming Facility Location Board -- AKA, the group that will pick which sites get casinos -- were in Colonie Monday for 12 hours of public comments about the Capital Region casino applications. Apparent trends in the comments: much support for the Howe Caverns proposal and much opposition to the East Greenbush proposal. Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan was one of the few speakers to support the East Greenbush casino (the project has pledged $11 million to Albany's economic development org) -- and her comments prompted boos from the anti-casino group. The day also included dueling accounts from Rush Street employees about how the casino company treats its casino employees (Rush Street is part of the Schenectady application). And there were just a few comments about the Rensselaer proposal. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU] [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
Following the death of Daniel Satre after being shocked multiple times with a stun gun Saturday in Ballston Spa, a look at law enforcement policies (or the lack thereof) for using the weapons. Acting Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen says her office is waiting for results of a police investigation, including an autopsy, before deciding how to handle the case. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A Times Union review of recent developments points toward the possibility that tar sands oil from Canada could soon be shipped through the Albany area via rail. [TU]
A currently-on-administrative-leave Rensselaer County jail officer has filed a lawsuit against the county and county sheriff alleging his medical records were improperly accessed by jail officials. [TU]
The Troy Police Department is planning to install 13 cameras in Lansingburgh as part its effort to curb the rash of crime there. [TWCN]
Colonie police are investigating two recent reports of people trying to lure children into cars. [TWCN]
A Troy man has been indicted on multiple charges stemming from an incident earlier this year in which it's alleged he broke into two houses, stole a slice a pizza, tried to steal other items, had 911 called on him by a 10-year-old boy home alone, and then was found hiding in closet. [TU]
A Saratoga Springs man was arrested and charged with misdemeanor criminal impersonation of a public servant for sending out post cards that claimed to be from the city code enforcement department telling neighbors to address property maintenance issues. [Daily Gazette]
A alumnus of the LaSalle Institute in Troy alleges he was sexually abused by a teacher at the school in the 1990s and was told to keep quiet when he reported the situation. [TU]
A libertarian group has been robocalling Albany residents urging them to oppose the proposed the red light camera ordinance. [TU]
Chuck Schumer was in Albany Monday pushing for a ban on a group of flame-retardant chemicals based in part on the work of a UAlbany scientist. [TU]
Empire Wine is planning to sue the State Liquor Authority, arguing the SLA overstepped its bounds when it tagged Empire for shipping wine to customers in states that prohibit such sales. [TU]
Saratoga Springs has officially broken ground on its long-in-development Waterfront Park on Saratoga Lake. [Saratogian]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?