All Over Albany

Charges dropped in Saratoga Springs PD middle finger case, GlobalFoundaries adding jobs, apartment plan in the works for Rensselaer waterfront

SSPD middle finger case
Charges have been dropped against Adam Rupeka, the man who had been stopped by Saratoga Springs police, and sprayed with pepper spray, after flipping an officer the finger -- an incident Rupeka recorded on video. The officer -- Nathan Baker -- has been on administrative leave and SSPD chief Greg Veitch says the department is moving to fire him. Rupeka's attorney says he'll be pursuing a civil case against the city. [Saratogian] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Rally in Troy
There was a community rally Thursday near the spot where Tyreek Prince was fatally shot early Sunday morning in Troy. Said Prince's grandfather, James June: "There's a lesson in this and the lesson is not revenge or retaliation ... It's education. I don't want to see [other kid's] mothers going through what my wife, my children, Tyreek's mother and his family are going through." [News10] [TWCN]

GlobalFoundries
GlobalFoundries says it's planning to add 600 jobs at its Malta facility by the end of the year. [TU+]

Arrest in alleged Schenectady arson
Schenectady police have arrested a woman for allegedly setting fire to a restaurant/apartment building she owns in February. The DA's office says there are indications the fire was set for insurance money. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]

Sam Coleman
Albany County DA David Soares has taken issue with Albany County legislature candidate Sam Coleman's comments indicating that he had pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge last year even though he "had nothing to do with the drugs." [TU+]

Next Colonie police chief
The panel charged with recommending a new town of Colonie police chief has recommended current deputy chief Jonathan Teale. [TU]

Saratoga Springs fire safety plans
A state comptroller's office audit reported the city of Saratoga Springs fell short in assuring that fire plans for a handful of public buildings met standards and were documented correctly. City public safety commissioner Chris Mathiesen described the situation to TWCN as "a learning experience for Saratoga Springs." [NYS OSC] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]

Downtown Saratoga Springs parking garage
The latest turn in the saga of the proposed City Center parking garage: A group called Citizens for High Rock is pushing for a mixed-use building at the site instead. [TU]

De Laets Landing
The latest plan for the Rensselaer waterfront site will apparently include a proposal for 96 apartments. [TU]

Police dogs
Police dogs in both Albany and Schenectady have recently gotten protective vests. [APD FB] [Daily Gazette]

Stuff going on

Congratulations, it's Friday. Look for our "Stuff to do this weekend" post later this morning.