All Over Albany

Blu-Bell motel demolished, Hometown Healthcare expands, church revives gun buyback, longtime local broadcaster Ed O'Brien dies

Blu-Bell demolition
The Blu-Bell motel in Colonie has finally been torn down.[TU]

Hometown Health Center Expands
Hometown Health Center in Schenectady , which provides care regardless of a patient's ability to pay, is planning a two-phase multimillion dollar expansion in an effort to better serve its community. Three multi family buildings have been purchased for the project and are expected to be razed for the expansion. [TU][Gazette]

Proposed penalties for delays in reporting Albany County oil spills
A proposed Albany County law could mean jail time and civil penalties for the operators of crude oil storage and transfer facilities that fail to swiftly report oil spills to county emergency management officials. [TU]

Crude oil fire/spill protection
Foam fire trailers will be placed in cities next to rail lines in the Capital Region. [TWCN]

Anti-pipeline law rejected in Rensselaer County
The Rensselaer County Legislature rejected a law designed to regulate blasting, and halt the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline -- members said they don't support the pipeline, but the legislation was flawed. [TU]

30,0000 anti-pipeline petitions
Environmental advocates turned in more than 30,000 petitions asking Andrew Cuomo to stop the construction of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline in southeastern New York.[TU][TWCN]

Gun buyback revived
Victory Christian Church pastor Charlie Muller has relaunched a gun buyback program in response to the recent outbreak of gun violence in Capital Region cities. [TWCN]

Gun hoax at Schenectady school
A report of a gun inside the Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy in Schenectady was apparently a hoax. Police believe a student was responsible and will likely face criminal charges. [TWCN][Gazette][WNYT]

Former Maestro's chef indicted
Former Maestro's chef/owner John LaPosta and Tina Kruger, formerly a part owner in the restaurant, were indicted on Tuesday for allegedly embezzling up to $200,000 from the restaurant over three years. [Gazette]

Bethlehem Central High School drug arrest prompts discussion
After last week's arrest of a Bethlehem Central High School student accused of having drugs, $1,796 in cash, and a false drivers license, a local group promoting safe activities for young people is planning a public discussion on substance abuse. [TU]

Legal aid hearing
A hearing Tuesday at the NYS Court of Cppeals focused on the need for legal aid services in New York and around the country. [TWCN]

International students
HVCC is recruiting international students. [TU+]

Airport parking
Parking fees are going up at Albany International Airport. [TU]

High school turned loft apartments
A former Rotterdam high school building is slated to be converted into loft apartments.[TU]

Homeowners insurance rates in Capital Region
A new review of homeowners insurance cost reports rates are lower in the Capital Region than in most other upstate cities. [TU]

Solar Sal
Solar Sal -- the first solar powered Erie Canal boat -- set sail from Waterford on Tuesday morning. [TU]

Walk Your City
Albany has unveiled its new Walk Your City smart signs. [News 10]

Schenectady song official
Schenectady's City Song is official. [WNYT]

Ed O'Brien
Longtime Capital Region broadcaster Ed O'Brien, a veteran of WRGB and WTEN, has died. [TU]

Happening Today

Silent Film Spectacular
The Albany Public Library's Silent Film Spectacular series continues with a screening of the 1924 version of Peter Pan with live soundtrack performed by Time Travel Bookclub. Wednesday 7 pm, APL main branch - free

Medical marijuana
UAlbany's School of Public Health is hosting forum about New York's medical marijuana law. State health commissioner Howard Zucker will lead the forum. Wednesday 5:30 pm, UAlbany East Campus, George Education Center Auditorium - free