Krokoff leaving Albany Police Department, Cuomo attaches ethics reform to budget, remembering MLK Jr's speech in Albany
Albany police chief Steven Krokoff is leaving the department to take a police chief position job in Georgia, the Sheehan administration announced Monday morning. Krokoff says in the press release the move is about being able to spend more time with extended family. He's been chief since 2010, and during his term has pushed the APD to be more oriented toward community policing. Krokoff's last day -- he's technically retiring -- is set for April 1. Current deputy chief Brendan Cox has been named interim chief. [City of Albany press release]
Andrew Cuomo included his ethics reform plan with his budget amendments. The insertion of the plan into the amendments sets up a possible showdown with the legislature ahead of the April 1 budget deadline. [Cuomo admin] [Capital] [TU]
With a focus on the situation leading up to the death of Kenneth White, the Times Union reviewed child fatality reports filed with the state in the Capital Region core and found "often troubling circumstances in households where child-protective workers were monitoring living conditions." [TU x2]
Schenectady police say they've made an arrest in last week's fatal shooting in Hamilton Hill. SPD says an Albany man has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of Carlos Figueroa. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schenectady police chief Brian Kilcullen is defending staffing reductions made after an analysis of trends in the number of calls made during the winter. [TU]
The director of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter say the Halfmoon puppy that State Police say was intentionally set on fire is going to be OK. The man accused of setting the dog on fire says he didn't do it. And the dog's owner, who's also been charged, said it took him two days to take the dog to a vet because he couldn't arrange transportation to get the dog there [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TWCN]
State Police have busy at the Brunswick Walmart over the last few days. [NYSP x4]
Local school districts say the continuing absence of information on state aid is making it hard to develop budgets. [Daily Gazette]
A Long Island teacher is suing to the state in an attempt to challenge the teacher evaluation system, describing it as "arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion." [TU]
The annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Albany has been become the focus of a back-and-forth among city leaders over non-profits covering city expenses. [TU]
Local homeless shelters continue to be packed during the extreme cold weather. [TU]
The Albany County Sheriff's Office and Habitat for Humanity are collaborating on a work release program in which county jail inmates to work on Habitat projects and learn building trade skills. [TU]
Nursing assistants are in high demand locally, but their pay continues at levels in the $10-$11/hour range. [Daily Gazette]
SCCC has been communicating with the Rivers Casino about what sorts of skills and courses will be included as part of its casino and gaming program. [Daily Gazette]
The Rosenblum Cos. has decided to not go ahead with a plan to redevelop the Cannon Building on Monument Square in Troy. [Biz Review]
Columbia Development was among
Fish fry places say they're having trouble getting fish because of all the snow in Boston. [TWCN]
Brian Howard, who had served as superintendent in multiple local school districts and ran for state Senate, died Friday after following a falling from a ladder while trying to clear snow from his roof. [TU]
The Troy native who won an Oscar Sunday for sound mixing got his start with a production job on the shoot for The Time Machine in Troy in 2002. [Troy Record]
Remembering the time Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke in Albany. [TU]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?