All Over Albany

Reaction to Capital Region's $60 million in REDC awards, 20 years to life for death of Lansingburgh woman, NAACP pushing for data from Albany schools, 1,399 light bulbs

Capital Region projects got $60 million from the state Regional Economic Development Awards (link includes the full list), the second-lowest amount among the state's 10 regions. Counting all four years of the program, the Capital Region has received the second-lowest total of awards of any region, behind only New York City. [AOA] [TU]

Among the high-profile projects: The Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market project in downtown Troy got the largest award of any single project in the Capital Region -- $1.5 million. The market's manager says they're hoping to be in the space by 2016. (Plans for the overall mixed-used project on the site of the former city hall have still not been released or approved.) And the planned "Robinson Block" mixed-use development on lower State Street in Schenectady got $1.2 million -- officials say the project could start next year. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]

Alexis Torres -- who pleaded guilty to killing Amber Lynne Fernald in Lansingburgh in June -- was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Said Fernald's teen son at the sentencing: "I hope that for the rest of your life that you are haunted by the images of what you did to the woman you said you loved ... We hope you burn in hell." Said Shane Hug, the ADA who prosecuted the case, about the Fernald's death and other incidents of domestic violence: "All too often things are happening behind closed doors where people are being abused -- women, children -- and we need to stand up together say 'enough.' Not just the police, not just the DA's office, not just the courts." [WNYT] [TU] [Troy Record]

The snow storm this week resulted in a wide range of snowfall totals around the region, including 2 feet of snow in Duanesburg. [TU]

Andrew Cuomo on the push to reform how the state's criminal justice system handles cases in which civilians are killed by police: "I believe there are reforms we can make. I don't want to respond quickly or politically to just this current situation, because I don't believe it's just about Eric Garner or that it's just about Ferguson." [State of Politics]

Cohoes police have identified the pedestrian killed on Wednesday on 787 as Nyla Jordan, who regularly crossed the road to catch the bus to her job at the state comptroller's office. [TU]

After Albany High School's senior class president said she was the target of racist comments -- and a group of four white students were suspended -- the regional director of the NAACP is pushing the Albany school district for data on topics such as suspension records broken down by race. [TU]

In responding to multiple complaints from parents about the Delaware Community School, Albany schools superintendent told a school board meeting that "this leader has fallen woefully short." [TU]

There's a union organizing effort among Albany crossing guards and supporters want mayor Kathy Sheehan to voluntarily recognize the union without a formal vote among the crossing guards. [TU]

The controversial parking garage in downtown Saratoga Springs near the Saratoga City Center has cleared one hurdle. [Daily Gazette]

A state appellate court upheld a ruling to revoke a license to inspect vehicles from a Menands gas station accused of using "donor cars" to bypass emissions inspections. [TU]

The Canajoharie farmer whose 21 goats were stolen -- and then found and reclaimed -- figures a whole crew of people were involved in the theft. [Daily Gazette]

A flip through New York State's new branding book. [TU]

Changing the big GE sign in Schenectady to Christmas colors involves switching out 1,399 bulbs and 24 hours of labor. [Daily Gazette]