All Over Albany

Large fire in Troy, Sheehan talks about situation surrounding death of Dontay Ivy, points record for UAlbany's Thompson

Troy fire
A multi-building fire at Fourth Street and Washington Street in Troy (map) Friday evening displaced 25 residents. (Donation page for people affected.) There were no reported injuries. Fire officials are investigating the cause, but the TFD there's been no indication it was intentionally set. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU]

Kenneth White's aunt
An Albany County Family Court judge ruled that Kenneth White's sisters -- 4 and 5 years old -- had been neglected while in the custody of their aunt, Brenda VanAlstyne. The judge also ruled that one of the sisters had likely been abused while in the Berne home. A hearing set for May will determine VanAlstyne's potential custody and visitation of the children. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]

The death of Dontay Ivy
Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan talked with the Times Union the situation surrounding the death of Dontay Ivy -- "That is not what the officers wanted to happen at the end of that stop ... We need to be careful and not jump to judgment." -- but did not share specific details about why Ivy was stopped by Albany police. Ivy's funeral is today. [TU] [News10]

Opting out
As NYSUT joins the push for parents to opt their children out of state standardized tests, some parents involved with the movement say they're worried the union's effort is shifting the attention away from students. [Capital]

Swatting in Colonie
Colonie police a call that turned out to be a hoax drew roughly 40 town and State Police Saturday.
Colonie's police chief said it was a case of "swatting," in which a hoax is called in with the intent of turning out a large police response. The chief says the call came from a blocked number. [TU] [TWCN] [WNYT]

Lawsuit in Albany pedestrian death
The family of the 4-year-old boy who died after being hit by a truck at Central and Quail in Albany in February has filed a lawsuit against the truck company and driver. [Daily Gazette]

District lines
The lines for the new court-ordered majority minority Albany County Legislature district are catching criticism from multiple angles. [TU]

Crash and run
A car crashed into a home in South Troy Sunday and caught fire (map). Troy police are looking for the driver, who ran off. The collision punched a whole in the side of the brick building, but apparently is otherwise structurally sound. [WNYT] [TU] [News10]

Klan in Altamont?
After a report that the Ku Klux Klan might have a branch in Altamont, Chris Churchill talks with a Grand Unicorn and Exalted Cyclops. [TU]

Busking in Saratoga Springs
Following public comment on the proposal to require buskers to be licensed, Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen says the city is "regrouping" on the idea. [Daily Gazette]

Possible return of Camp Bisco
A plan for a toned-down Camp Bisco has gotten a chilly reception from Schenectady County officials. [Daily Gazette]

Residential conversion in Troy
A developer intends to buy the former Troy Record building and convert it into apartments. [TU]

Fact

354 points: UAlbany lacrosse star Lyle Thompson is now tied for the career points record in NCAA Division 1 lacrosse after registering a goal and six assists against Binghamton Saturday in a 15-11 Great Danes win.

Stuff going on today (Monday, April 13, 2015)

Following the feminine in Shakespeare's plays
Shakespeare expert Tina Packer will be at UAlbany for a talk based on her new book Women of Will: Following The Feminine in Shakespeare's Plays. It's the annual Burian Lecture, and part of the NYS Writers Institute visiting writers series. Monday 8 pm, UAlbany uptown campus, Performing Arts Center - free

Streetfilms
The Madison Theater is hosting a "mini-festival" of films from the influential Streetfilms project, which is focused on urban planning, cycling, and transit. The event is being organized by the Albany Protected Bike Lane Coalition, which (as the name would imply) is working to get protected bike lanes built in the city. We hear that about eight short films will be screened, with a total runtime of about 45 minutes. Monday 7 pm (info tables at 6:15 pm) - free

Music: Portland Cello Project at Caffe Lena
Many cellos playing many different types of music, including, recently Taylor Swift. 7 pm - $25