All Over Albany

Suspect identified in fatal stabbing of Troy official, continued criticism for nursing home, she doesn't give a "rat's noodle" what neighbors say

Investigation of Troy official's death
North Greenbush police identified a suspect in the Thursday night stabbing death of Troy director of operations Bill Chamberlain: 28-year-old Joseph Vandenburgh of Wynantskill was being held on a parole violation. Over the weekend police searched the home of Vandenburgh's mother. Police say Chamberlain had been stabbed as many as 25 times and a knife was found near his body. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [TU x2]

Both city officials and Troy business owners remembered Chamberlain as a dedicated public servant who played a key role for the city. [WNYT] [TWCN]

Park Ave fire
Official determination of the cause in the Albany Park Ave fire that displaced 25 people: "undetermined but with accidental characteristics." [TU]

Troy police
Troy's police chief says the department is down 15 officers and it's having trouble attracting and retaining officers. [TU+]

Shooting in Albany
Albany police say they're investigating a shooting on Grand Street Saturday afternoon (map) in which a man was hit in the head and abdomen. [APD FB]

Shot himself, drove himself
Schenectady police say it appears a man shot himself in the leg Friday afternoon -- and then drove himself Ellis Medicine's McClellan Street campus. [Daily Gazette]

Cuomo admin changes
Andrew Cuomo has picked a new chief of staff and budget director. [NYDN]

Child deaths in foster care
The state's Office of Children and Family Services is apparently having trouble pulling together the annual reports on the number of child deaths in foster care that are required by state law. [TU+]

Continued criticism for Guilderland nursing home
Residents and family say recent changes to a Guilderland nursing home that's been tagged by the feds and state for low quality are mostly cosmetic. [TU+]

Not for kids
The state Gaming Commission would prefer you don't buy scratch-off lottery tickets for kids as Christmas presents. [Daily Gazette]

RPI
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is suing a nearby pizzeria calling itself RPI: Rensselaer Pizza Institute. [TU]

For the birds
A Guilderland woman's response to the ongoing frustration of neighbors that she puts out food for wild animals, especially because the food draws large groups of vultures: "I don't give a rat's noodle about what is said about me." [TU]

Scholarship offer
After hearing the story of an 11-year-old Schenectady boy success in school while he and mom have been struggling with homelessness, UAlbany officials offered the boy a full-tuition scholarship. [Daily Gazette]

Charlie Bucket
Noted: The actor who played Charlie Bucket in the 1971 version of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a large animal veterinarian in the North Country. [Daily Gazette]

Stuff going on today

Hip Hop Nutcracker
A touring production of The Hip Hop Nutcracker with Guest MC Kurtis Blow will be on the Proctors main stage. Monday 7:30 pm - $20 and up

Storytelling
The Front Parlor storytelling series will be at the Olde English in Albany. This month's theme is "All in the Family," and Lecco Morris will be guest hosting. Monday 7:30 pm