All Over Albany

Silver sentenced to 12 years, trailer park manager charged with choking tenant to death in music dispute, Spa City debates panhandling

Silver sentenced
As lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Tuesday,
former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption charges. He was also ordered to forfeit almost $5.2 million, and pay $1.75 million in fines. Silver apologized to the court but the judge in the case said though he was a gifted politician who went above and beyond, his actions were not those of a basically honest person, but a corrupt scheming politician.Silver is expected to begin his sentence on July 1, but a pending decision on a theft of honest services case currently before the Supreme Court, expected at the end of June, may have a bearing on the sentence.
[TWCN][NYT][WSJ][TWCN]

Troy shooting
According to a TU report citing "a person briefed on the investigation, but not authorized to comment publicly," a witness to the fatal shooting of a DWI suspect by a Troy police officer pinned by the suspect's car told investigators that it didn't appear to him that the officer was in danger. Meanwhile, in the wake of the shooting, the Public Safety Committee of the Troy City Council says it is working to get city police cars equipped with cameras. [TU][TU]

Trailer park manager charged in tenant death
The manager of a Milton trailer park allegedly choked a tenant to death in a dispute over loud music. [TU][TWCN]

Pepper spray
An Albany man may face a jail sentence for pepper spraying a city police officer. [WNYT]

Saint Rose
A report by the American Association of University Professors blames the leadership at the College of Saint Rose for undermining academic freedom at the college, through the recent layoffs and staff eliminations. [News 10]

Promise zone
Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing to have the Department of Housing and Urban Development designate Schenectady as a federal "Promise Zone," making it eligible for economic assistance and development initiatives.
[Gazette]

Spa city panhandling
The recent arrests of a dozen homeless people in Saratoga Springs, combined with a petition to ban panhandling prompted a public discussion on homelessness and panhandling in the spa city. [TWCN][News 10]

The Friar and the Freshman
A friar, reluctantly placed at a Siena dorm, and the student he befriended. [TU]

Potato?
Why yes, that was a giant Idaho potato you passed in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday. [TU]

Happening today

The Trip to Bountiful
Today-Sunday: Capital Rep's production of The Trip to Bountiful continues. The show is the story of Carrie Watts, an aging widow who escapes from the home of her son and goes on a journey to revisit her childhood home. The show stars a number of talented Capital Region actors, including the amazing Barbara Howard, Kevin Craig West, Tony Pallone, and newcomer Joshua Powell. Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $20 and up

Les Paul's Big Sound Experience
Wednesday-Thursday: The touring exhibit Les Paul's Big Sound Experience will be at Saint Rose. Blurbage for the interactive exhibit: "The giant, state-of-the-art traveling exhibit will take visitors behind the scenes and into the world of the music legend. Guests will be able to mix and share music, explore Paul's sound, music and technology innovations, witness how Paul pushed the limits of audio technology and learn how Paul's inventions and techniques have formed the foundation of live and recorded music enjoyed by generations." Wednesday-Thursday noon-8 pm, outside the Hearst Center (996 Madison Ave) -- free

North Central: Reduce & Repurpose Vacant Buildings
The Sanctuary for Independent Media is hosting a community meeting about vacant buildings in Troy's North Central Neighborhood, with conversation about plans from the city of Troy, Habitat for Humanity, the Troy Community Land Bank, TRIP, and Breathing Lights. Wednesday 6 pm -- free

Startup Tech Valley
The Startup Tech Valley series returns to Revolution Hall in Troy with another round of short presentations from startup companies. Wednesday 5:30 pm - free (registration required)

Music
Oddisee and Good Company at The Hollow
A night of hip hop, soul, funk. With: Thump Gospel, The Beat*Shot All-Stars, DJ Trumastr. 9 pm -- $10 ahead / $13 at door

BØRNS at Upstate Concert Hall
Indie pop. With: Foreign Air. 8 pm - $10.27 first 102 / then $15 ahead / $18 day of

Enemy Planes at Parish Public House
Indie rock. With: Candy Ambulance, Bendt. 8 pm