All Over Albany

Vega convicted of manslaughter, Schenectady City Council to request independent investigation of McCarthy incident, no more Uncle Sam parade

Vega convicted of manslaughter
A Rensselaer County jury did not convict Gabriel Vega of murder, but did convict him on charges him of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree arson, third-degree arson and first-degree abortion in the death of Vanessa Milligan and their unborn child. Vega is facing a minimum or 25 years in prison and could spend as much as 50 years for the crimes. Milligan's family held a vigil and released balloons to celebrate the verdict but her father told TWCN, " when the party's over and everyone goes home, I still gotta deal with the hurt. I still gotta deal with the pain."[Record][TU][TWCN]

Schenectady Council calls for McCarthy investigation
In a closed door meeting on Wednesday, Schenectady's City Council decided that the city should bring in an unbiased investigator to look into the confrontation between Mayor Gary McCarthy and a woman he followed in his car when he suspected her of trying to break into cars last week. The woman, Sarah Dingley of Rotterdam, told the Daily Gazette the mayor followed her, flashing his high beams, and that she pulled over because she thought he was a police officer. [Gazette][TU][Gazette]

Schenectady standoff
A nearly five hour standoff outside a James Street home in Schenectady ended with tear gas, but no shots were fired. Three people were arrested, including a man who was wanted on a parole violation stemming from a 2009 Schenectady drug bust. [WNYT][Gazette]

Hoosick Falls
POLITICO's look at the Cuomo administration's reaction to the Hoosick Falls water pollution crisis, detailed through documents and emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Request, shows the administration resisted sounding public alarm and, in some cases, actively dismissed federal warnings. [POLITICO]

Petersburgh/Hoosick Falls blood tests
The NYS Health Department is withholding the results of blood tests on residents of Petersburgh and Hoosick Falls who were exposed to PFOAs. [TU]

Siena rape lawsuit
A lawsuit against Siena College by a former student claims a rape in her dormitory could have been prevented if the residence halls at the school were better patrolled by R.A.'s or public safety staff. [TU]

Madison Avenue
One lane of traffic in each direction has been opened in the area surrounding a sinkhole that opened last week on Madison Avenue.[WNYT]

Veterans pension credit
After two vetoes, Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on Tuesday allowing honorably discharged service members with five years of existing public pension credit to purchase three years of credit for their military service. [TU]

What's in a name?
Chris Churchill's case against naming the Albany Convention Center after a politician. [TU+]

Moving Wall
A scaled down, traveling replica of the Vietnam Wall will be on display in Halfmoon this afternoon and this evening. [TU]

Uncle Sam parade
There won't be an Uncle Sam parade in Troy this September -- for the first time in 40 years. [TU]

Happening today

Albany Waterfront Connector

The city of Albany is hosting a public meeting about forming a plan to connect the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail and the Mohawk-Hudson Hike-Bike Trail in Albany's South End. There's been a lot of work going on recently with both of these bike/hike trails. The paved segment of Albany County's Helderberg Hudson trail between Delmar and the South End will officially opened recently. And the city of Albany has a $5 million project under construction to upgrade pedestrian and bike amenities along the Mohawk-Hudson trail along the Hudson riverfront. The even will include a presentation and open house. Thursday project open house from 5-5:30 pm / presentation from 5:30-6:30 pm / and the open house will continue from 6-7 pm -- free

Mountain Jam

Thursday-Sunday: The Mountain Jam music festival returns to Hunter Mountain in the Catskills. This year's headliners include Beck, Wilco, The Avett Brothers, Gov't Mule, Umphrey's McGee, and Brandi Carlile. day passes start at $55, three-day passes start at $225