All Over Albany

Troy water main repair continues, 19 citations but no charges for garbage truck driver in fatal accident, Silver keeps pension, New York considers new consequences for skipping tolls

Troy water main update
Work continues today on the water main break that has spilled millions of gallons of water into the streets of Troy and left thousands of people in the city and surrounding communities with limited water service for days. Paul Tonko toured the site of the break on Wednesday pointing out that it is a symbol of a national problem with aging infrastructure. Troy is seeking state and federal aid to repair the aging infrastructure problems that caused the break. The city council will hold a special meeting tonight in an effort to speed along a grant proposal to replace the aging water line. 25 Waterford homes had their water restored on Wednesday. Schools are open again in Waterford Halfmoon and Mechanicville school districts but water restrictions are still in effect in many communities, affecting residents and businesses. Meanwhile, Waterford and Halfmoon are considering new water sources to avoid similar problems in the future. [TWCN][Saratogian][Gazette][WNYT][News 10][TU+][TU]

Judiciary committee approves DiFiore
Cuomo appointee Janet DiFiore won the approval of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday,. A vote was delayed but DiFiore is expected to be confirmed as New York State's next Chief Judge. [TU][NYT]

Garbage truck driver cited in 2015 fatal accident
The driver of a garbage truck that struck and killed a 4-year-old boy at Central and Quail in Albany last year will not face criminal charges. James P. Kelly was issued 19 citations in connection with the incident, including failure to yield the right of way. [TU][Gazette]

Silver to keep pension
Sheldon Silver gets to keephis $79, 222.68 a year pension. [WNYT]

Albany school superintendent
Supporters of Albany School Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard rallied on Wednesday in an effort to find out why the city's Board of Education has yet to renew her contract. [TU][TWCN]

GE Renovation
GE is planning a $45 million renovation of its Schenectady campus and has been approved for a tax exemption by the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.. [TU][Business Review]

Expansion approval for casino/hotel
Schenectady's planning commission has approved plans for 163 more rooms, 13 more parking spaces, and a remodeled pool at the Rivers Casino and Resort. [TU]

Steel
STS Steel, located on the former ALCO land, is planning to purchase property on Peek Street for additional space and storage as development as work progresses on the Mohawk Harbor site.[Gazette]

Schenectady phones
Police and fire department phones are working again in Schenectady. [TU]

Alleged rapist had been evaluated for mental health
The man charged with kidnapping and repeatedly raping a woman earlier this month near New Scotland Avenue in Albany was hospitalized for an emergency health evaluation two days before the alleged incident. [TU]

Tax cap concern
With the NYS tax cap to be set just above zero, school districts fear they may have to cut costs or dip into reserves. [TU]

$15 minimum wage
Chris Churchill considers how the proposed $15 an hour minimum wage will impact small businesses in upstate New York. [TU]

Paying tolls
New York is considering suspending the registrations of cars when drivers skip tolls five times. [TU]

Paper thin
A Troy start-up is bringing ultra thin batteries to the market. [Business Review]

"Not everybody has the chance to save someone's life."
A Union College student and bone marrow donor met the little boy whose life she helped save. [Gazette]

Happening today

Cinderella

Today-Sunday: A touring production of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella will be at Proctors for the week. Blurbage: "This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love--the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more--plus some surprising new twists!" Tuesday-Sunday various times - $20 and up

Hoops

Siena men
The Siena men's basketball team takes on Rider at the TU Center. The Saints have four active players average double digit points. Thursday 7 pm - $10 and up.

UAlbany women
The UAlbany women's basketball team faces Stony Brook at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes' Shereesha Richards is one of the nation's leading scorers at more than 24 points a game. (She just had 34 points against Maine.) Thursday 7 pm - $5 and up

Shakes-BEER
The Collar City Players will be at Rare Form Brewing in Troy for an open group reading of Henry V. Blurbage: "A brewery for a stage, drinkers to act, and Shakespeare fans to behold. Then should your warlike M.C. Matt, like himself, assume the port of mars (and stand by the door,) as he leads you through one of Shakespeare's greatest histories: Henry V. Roles will be read, prizes will be awarded, and beers will be drunk." Thursday sign up for roles starts at 6 pm / roles assigned at 6:30 pm / reading starts at 6:45

Music

Adrian Reju at Helsinki Hudson
Singer/songwriter. With: Elijah Wolf. 8 pm - $10 ahed / $12 day of

Live at The Fillmore Band at The Egg
Allman Brothers tribute. 8 pm - $28

What Moon Things at The Low Beat
Indie rock. With: Dirty Dishes, Jouska. 7:30 pm - $11.54