All Over Albany

Former DOCCS official accused of harassment, push for increases in school funding, upgrades for TU Center, thirst for malt barley

The state Attorney General's office announced a former top official with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has been arrested and charged in connection with allegations of sexual harassment of a subordinate at the DOCCS office at the Harriman campus. The Times Union reported last year that the former official, James Ferro, was also facing accusations of harassing another DOCCS employee, apparently different from the one in the situation cited by the current charges. [NYS OAG] [TU]

A "Moral Monday" rally in the Capitol that includes representatives from the state teachers unions pushed for increased state aid for struggling school districts, such as Schenectady. [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU] [News10]

The state Senate has passed eight parts of the Women's Equality Act -- but not the abortion rights provision. Sheldon Silver says the package of bills is a no-go in the Assembly without abortion rights bill. [TU] [State of Politics]

Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy's state of the city address focused on progress made in downtown development, demolishing problem buildings, and the upcoming casino. Also, no surprise: McCarthy's said to be thinking about a second term. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Colonie police say four people were arrested after shots were fired Sunday night as part of a dispute outside a home off Central Ave near the Albany line (map). CPD says the four people were stopped in a vehicle near Central and Colvin in Albany. [TU] [Troy Record]

Troy police say they recovered a handgun from inside Kokopellis -- though it's unclear if it was the gun used in the shooting there this past weekend. TPD says the club's owner "hasn't cooperated much with the investigation." Also: The State Liquor Authority says the owner of Kokopellis surrendered the club's liquor license last week. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU]

The mother of a Schenectady boy attacked by a loose dog last summer questioned the leniency granted in the case because it was the dog's first offense. [Daily Gazette]

Guilderland police say a woman allegedly cut off a school bus with her car Monday morning and then try to force her way onto the bus. [Daily Gazette]

Cohoes police say two men are accused of using a slingshot and frozen candy to break plate-glass windows downtown. [TU]

The Albany County Legislature voted in favor of bonds to pay for more than $15 million in upgrades for the TU Center -- including a new, enclosed atrium. [TU]

The Cuomo admin announced it will combine the State of the State address with the state budget presentation on January 21 at the ESP convention center. [TU]

Saratoga County Republicans are criticizing Carrie Woerner, the newly elected Democrat in the 113th state Assembly district, for voting for Sheldon Silver for speaker while he's reportedly under investigation by the feds. [Saratogian]

Now that Chris Gibson's announced he won't be running for re-election to Congress, potential candidates are eyeing the House seat. [Daily Gazette]

A look ahead to the Troy mayoral election. [TU]

Chuck Schumer was at Albany Distilling Co. Monday to bang the drum for the USDA to extend crop insurance coverage to New York's malt barley crop. The state's craft beverage industry, and the licenses that go along with it, have increased demand for malt barley and other similar crops grown in the state -- so much so that an increase in state production of malt barley from 2,000 to 30,000 acres will be necessary in the next few years. [TU] [Troy Record]

Moves by a handful of western NHL teams, and an impending end to the contract between the Devils and the TU Center, could mean pro hockey is on the way out in Glens Falls and Albany. [TU]