All Over Albany

$3 million plan to replace Troy water main, DMV outage caused problems statewide, Skelos/Silver pensions revealed

$3 million for water main replacement
On the heels of an announcement about a state audit that called it's financial situation precarious, officials in Troy are seeking grant money to help with a nearly $3 million plan to replace the damaged water main that caused widespread flooding in January, with a larger pipeline.[TU] [TU]

DMV outage
A problem with an electric transformer caused power outages at the DMV office on Swan Street on Wednesday that resulted in computer problems in department offices throughout the state. [TU][WNYT]

Skelos/Silver pensions
Sheldon Silver will be collecting a pension of over $79,222.68 per year and Dean Skelos will get $95,831.52 per year. [News 10][TU]

Homelessness in Albany
+Paul Grondahl looks at some of the problems involved with overcrowded shelters, what happens to homeless people who have trouble getting into shelters, and how local shelters are dealing with Andrew executive order requiring local governments to bring homeless people into shelters when the temperature drops to 32 degrees.[TU]

+Chris Churchill on a state Supreme Court decision that could stop Bethany Reformed Church in Albany from helping homeless families with its Family Promise program. [TU]

More proposed student housing
The Maryland developer behind a four-story student housing project in Albany is proposing a second, nearly identical project about a half a mile away on Washington Avenue. [TU]

Hoosick Falls real estate
Hoosick homeowners property values have fallen because of PFOA contamination. [TWCN]

Murder trial wrapping up in Schenectady
The trial in an alleged attempted murder that left a 23 year old victim wheelchair bound is wrapping up its third week in Schenectady. [Gazette]

House fire causes road closure
A house fire caused 16 miles of Rensselaer County to close down on Thursday morning. [WNYT]

Smart Spa City
A 12-member commission will pursue "smart city" status for the city of Saratoga Springs, in an effort to develop a specific, detailed pathway for the city to achieve wider and faster Internet access. [Gazette][Saratogian]

Schumer chided over counterterrorism grant
The White house is chiding Chuck Schumerfor challenging an Obama administration decision to reduce funding for a local counterterrorism grant program. [NYT]

Plug Power growth
Plug Power has gone from 80 to 300 employees at its Latham factory in three years. [Business Review]

Fundraiser for Noah Roman
A Latham dance studio is holding a fundraiser for Noah Roman, the young man who lost his family in a murder-suicide last week.[TU]

Best in Breed
Eli - the Siberian Husky from Round Lake who won Best in Breed at this week's Westminster Kennel Club show in Manhattan. [Gazette]

Happening today

Sherwin Bitsui
Award-winning poet Sherwin Bitsui will be at UAlbany for reading as part of the NYS Writers Institute. Thursday 4:15 pm, Science Library, uptown campus - free

On Screen/Sound
The On Screen/Sound series at EMPAC continues with two films "that explore the act of vocalization--both embodied in an on-screen speaker and as sound and images disembodied from the actor." Thursday 7 pm - $6

History Happy Hour

The Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany is hosting the latest History Happy Hour. Blurbage: "[S]ip and mingle with like-minded history buffs at one of the region's premier historic homes, Albany's Ten Broeck Mansion, and enjoy a selection of local beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres. Step into the shoes of Ten Broeck's inhabitants and explore the house through their eyes." Thursday 5 pm - $20 ahead / $25 at door

Brazilian food with Ric Orlando
Brazil! | Different Drummer's Kitchen
Ric Orlando leads a class about making a handful of Brazilian dishes, including feijoada. 6 pm - $75

Music
Styx at The Palace
Come sail away. 7:30 pm - $39.50 and up

Jackie Greene at Helsinki Hudson
Roots singer/songwriter. With: Hollis Brown. 8 pm - $25