Budgets proposed for Albany, Troy and Schenectady, Queens assemblyman charged with stealing $80,000, Mike's owner pays up, how much to move Hoffman's to Albany?
It's budget time again in the Capital Region. Albany's proposed budget, presented to the Common Council on Wednesday by Mayor Kathy Sheehan, calls for a 1.4 percent tax increase as well as budget cuts, in an attempt to close a $15 million deficit. Firefighters booed a decision to eliminate Ladder No. 1 in the new budget. Sheehan says she expects $2 million in income from the proposed red light cameras. The proposed Troy budget calls for spending cuts, but a 3.8 percent tax increase. Schenectady's proposed budget calls for a 3 percent tax increase and $1million in additional spending on the city's police department.[TWCN][TU][TU][[Gazette]
Queens Assemblyman William Scarborough is facing 23 state and 11 federal charges for allegedly stealing $80,000, by submitting 174 fraudulent per-diem vouchers. [TU][TU]
A retired NYC police officer who was raised in Colonie is suing Colonie police for $15 million , claiming he was illegally tased by police while visiting his parents home in July, when police came to break up a family argument. [TU]
Two homeless women, aged 65 and 73, were charged with improperly caring for pets after police found 45 cats in what they called deplorable conditions in a camper in Voorheesville.[TU]
Letters between the mother of a man who claims he was abused as a student at LaSalle Institute, and Bishop Hubbard, were made public by the family on Wednesday.[TU]
The owners of Huck Finns Warehouse are seeking financial help to relocate Hoffman's Playland in Albany, but how much money seems to be a secret.[TU]
Mike's Hot Dogs in Schenectady will remain open after the owner paid nearly $30,000 in back taxes.[TU]
Nearly three dozen parking tickets were issued one day in Albany County as police conducted a sweep for parking illegally in designated handicapped spaces. [TU]
About 30 Troy High School students were disciplined after an annual homecoming tradition that included throwing toilet paper, garbage and eggs. [TU][News 10]
Signs from the demolished St. Patrick's in Watervliet are now outside another St. Patrick's, in Ravena.[News 10]
DiCarlo's, the strip club on Central Ave in Colonie, has been sold to a group that (according to SLA records) includes Tess Collins. [Biz Review]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?