All Over Albany

It's hot, alleged hit and run driver captured in foot chase, Raucci files for federal appeal, NYRA: hike in handle and attendance point to privatization

Heat wave
Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s for the next three days in the Capital Region, but the humidity will make it feel more like 100. Swimming pools at Mater Christi and will be open and busses will run to them from Lincoln Park, which is closed because of the South Lake Ave sinkhole. [NWS][News10][TU]

Alleged hit and run driver arrested after foot chase
Police arrested a Rotterdam man on Wednesday for allegedly hitting multiple cars and then abandoning his vehicle on Central Ave. The arrest followed a foot chase though the woods near Central Avenue. [TU][WNYT]

Raucci
Steven Raucci, the former facilities director for Schenectady schools who was sentenced to prison for arson and other crimes, has filed to appeal his case in federal court.[Gazette]

NYRA
Attendance and handle are up at Saratoga this season -- a fact NYRA officials say supports their push for privatization.l. [WNYT][Gazette]

Troy murder trial
Prosecutors are wrapping up their case against Jacob Heimroth -- charged in the beating deaths of Allen and Maria Lockrow. On Wednesday two police detectives testified about their investigation of the case. [TU][Record]

Saratoga Springs charter
Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen, along with four former mayors of the city, testified this week that they believe changes to the city charter would be beneficial. [Saratogian]

SUNY Poly development arm merger
SUNY Poly is merging Fuller Road Management Corp and Fort Schuyler Management Corp -- two real estate entities that are part of a probe by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. [TU]

Stillwater principal
Parents, teachers and even the former superintendent of schools are trying to figure out why the beloved principal of a Stillwater elementary school was forced to resign by the new superintendent of schools. [TU]

Gillibrand promotes manufacturing
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Menands on Wednesday touting the Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act, a program in which cities would compete to be designated as manufacturing communities. [WNYT]

Dumbstruck
Dumbstruck Inc., a tech company in Schenectady that records audience engagement to digital content and says it can provide emotional analytics, has been approved for the START-UP NY program. [Gazette]

Fatal motorcycle accident
A motorcycle accident in West Sand Lake claimed the life of a local business owner and motorcycle enthusiast. [TU]

Altamont Fair troubles
The Altamont Fair will go on next week, in spite of problems caused by thieves and vandals. [TU]

Olympic size pool
Families in Malta are pushing for an Olympic-size indoor pool in an effort to train swimmers and bring swim meets to the area. [NBC]

Happening today

The Track
It's the third full week of the season at the Saratoga Race Course. (And, of course, there is no racing on Tuesday.)

Stage

Park Playhouse
Park Playhouse in Albany's Washington Park opens its production of The Little Mermaid, adapted from the Disney film. (It runs through August 27.) Toda-Saturday 7:30 pm -- free on the lawn / reserve tickets $16 and up

Williamstown Theatre Festival
Today-Sunday: The Williamstown Theatre Festival's production of Wendy Wasserstein's An American Daughter continues on the main stage. (It runs through August 21.) And a production of And No More Shall We Part, starring Jane Kaczmarek and Alfred Molina, opened on the Nikos Stage this week. (It runs through August 21.) various times -- $40 and up

Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra continues its summer stay at SPAC. This week's schedule:
+ Thursday: The Firebird with puppets from the people who created the War Horse puppets. 3 pm

Deja View
The start of new outdoor movie series in downtown Albany -- Deja View -- has been pushed back to September 18 because of weather.