All Over Albany

Watervliet police officer arrested, focus on impending gap between fast food and other minimum wage employees, some sort of taxi plan in the works

Watervliet police officer arrested
A Watervliet police officer who had been assigned as a school resource officer was arrested over the weekend has been charged with a criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child. [WNYT] [Troy Record] [TU]

Sampson found guilty
State Senator John Sampson, the former head of the state Senate while it was controlled by Democrats, was convicted Friday of three charges related to hindering a federal investigation -- and a felony conviction means he's booted from the state Senate. If you're keeping score, he was the second former high-ranking state Senator to get the boot last week for a felony conviction, joining Republic Tom Libous. [NYT x2]

Minimum wage
The owner of the local Mr. Subb chain says he'll have to raise menu prices 20 percent to cover the scheduled fast food employee minimum wage increase -- the sandwich chain isn't subject to the planned increase (not enough locations), but the owner says he'll have to raise wages to compete for employees. The planned increase is also highlighting the impending gap between fast food employees and the many other workers in other industries that make minimum wage or close to it. [Biz Review] [NYT]

NYRA
A group of state legislators -- including many of the Capital Region from both parties -- is pushing for the Cuomo admin to return NYRA to private control. (As you know, NYRA operates the Saratoga Race Course.) [State of Politics]

Schenectady casino
Schenectady's Planning Commission is planning to review requested changes to the large pylon sign proposed for Rivers Casino -- but not as part of a public meeting. [Daily Gazette]

Shelby Countermine
The investigation into the death of Shelby Countermine, a Schenectady resident found dead in Coeymans in May, has prompted law enforcement officials to seize an SUV from a man in the Rochester area. Police say the man isn't connected -- he recently bought the car -- but he's out of luck because government seizure isn't covered by his insurance. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]

Dan McCoy
The Albany County exec, facing his first competitive election for the job, has raised more campaign cash than every other local elected official, save two: George Amedore and Kathy Marchione. [TU+]

Troy charter
Among the proposed changes to the Troy city charter: a reduction in the size of the city council from nine to seven members. [Troy Record]

Saratoga Springs real estate
With empty lots becoming scarce in Saratoga Springs, especially around downtown, buyers are resorting to tear-down-and-build-new. [Daily Gazette]

Taxis
The panel of local officials reviewing taxi service in the Capital Region is apparently working on some sort of "confidential right now" regional plan. [TU+]

Halfmoon ZIP
Halfmoon is not getting its own ZIP code. [TU+] Earlier: A ZIP code map of New York State

Hat contest
Photos from this year's hat contest at the Saratoga Race Course. [Saratogian]

Stuff going on today

The Track
It's the first full week of the new season at the Saratoga Race Course. Wednesday is College Day -- there's free grandstand admission for college students with pre registration. There will also be various activities including "Giant Beer Pong" and "Giant Jenga." And, of course, there is no racing on Tuesday.

Music: Heart at The Palace
Still beating. 7:30 pm - $52.50

Music: Motion City Soundtrack at Upstate Concert Hall
Rock. With: The Spill Canvas, Sorority Noise. 7:30 pm - $20 ahead / $22 day of