All Over Albany

Madison Avenue sinkhole reroutes traffic, family busted for allegedly running Niskayuna pot factory, closing arguments today in Vanessa Milligan murder case

Sinkhole
Madison Avenue in Albany is closed from South Lake to Willett Street while crews continue to work on a sinkhole over a 140-year-old trunk sewer . The slate and brick sewer dates back to 1870, further complicating repairs.. Officials say the hole is 20 x 20 feet and that repairs could take several days to complete. [TU][WNYT][TWCN]

Albany budget
The city of Albany spent about $4.7 million more than anticipated from it's reserves last year, leaving very little reserve funding for this year. [TU]

Milligan case
Testimony concluded on Wednesday in the trial of Gabriel Vega, charged with the 2014 murder of Vanessa Milligan. The County Medical Examiner testified that no soot was found in Vanessa Milligan's lungs, indicating she died before the fire started in her home. Closing arguments and jury deliberations are expected today. [TU][TWCN]

Woman accuses Schenectady mayor
A Schenectady woman confronted last week by Mayor Gary McCarthy while she says she was collecting recyclables, claims the mayor smelled of alcohol and appeared highly intoxicated in the confrontation. McCarthy, who denies the charge, followed the women in his car and says he believed she and her friend were trying to break into cars on the street. [TU][Gazette]

Family pot factory
A father and his two adult sons were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly running a marijuana growing and processing operation in the Avon Crest neighborhood. Police found 600 marijuana plants, 10 pounds of processed marijuana and about $30,000 in cash when they raided the home. All three men are facing felony charges. [TWCN][WNYT][Gazette]

Crime down
A new report from the division of criminal justice shows that serious crimes were down 5.2% in New York State last year. [WNYT]

Spa City garage saga
A second lawsuit has been filed against a proposed parking garage in Saratoga Springs. [TU]

Thacher fall
The Albany County Sheriff's Department says alcohol is believed to have been a factor in a Tuesday night incident where a woman crashed her car into a guard rail and then fell about 60 feet from a cliff at Thacher Park.[TWCN]

Jay Street
The city of Schenectady is taking steps to foreclose on a 100 - 102 Jay Street -- the property where an apartment building was destroyed in a fatal fire in 2015. [TU]

Suspicious car in Saratoga
Police in Saratoga Springs are investigating a report of a suspicious man in a car Monday on the city's south side.[Gazette]

Narcan video
The Washington County Sheriff's Department has been showing a YouTube video of a recent rescue from a heroin overdose, in the hope that it will help fight the heroin epidemic. [TWCN]

Muldowney
A Schenectady drag racing legend and the first woman to earn a National Hot Rod Association license, is facing a battle with cancer. [Gazette]

Happening today

Hidden Garden Tour
The annual self-guided Troy Hidden Garden Tour is in/around the Sage/Washington Park neighborhood. Tour blurbage:

While most of the gardens are approximately the same size, about 20 feet by 30 feet, they vary greatly in style. Some of the gardens feature charming pathways, fountains and pools. Some are filled with flowers, while others have more plants and vegetables -- all lovingly tended by gardeners of all skill levels.

This is the 17th year for the event. The tour is a fundraiser for The Friends of Prospect Park. Thursday 4-7:30 pm -- $10

Fence
The annual Fence show is now on display at the Arts Center of the Capital Region -- it shows art works from members of the center. Blurbage: "This year we accepted and displayed 382 pieces, including paintings, drawing, photography, fiber arts, stained glass and sculpture. There is also a separate category for young artists in grades K-12." on display through June 26