All Over Albany

Murder charges in Rensselaer County homicides case, donations help football team after suspicious fire burns equipment, the Onrust says it needs help

Rensselaer County homicides
Authorities say the three men arrested in Virginia this week in connection with two separate homicides in Rensselaer County are facing second-degree murder charges in the death of Javier Gomez, the man found dead in a Troy apartment Monday. Gomez was roommates with Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez, whose body was found in Brunswich Tuesday. "Law enforcements sources with knowledge of the investigation" tell the Times Union that three suspects arrested had been at a Colonie motel with Hernandez when the situation became violent and they beat Hernandez, then drove him to Brunswick and and slit his throat -- the trio then went to the Troy apartment where Gomez was killed. A former co-worker at a Clifton Park restaurant tells News10 that Gomez and one of the men charged, Luis Monge Guevara, had both worked there and were good friends -- Guevara quit his job there Monday afternoon. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU] [News10]

High school field house burned
Schenectady police say a fire at the Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons field house overnight appears to have been arson. The fire destroyed all the equipment for the combined football team based there -- just ahead of its playoff game this weekend. Offers of donated equipment have already been rolling in and the team's coach says they will play the game. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU]

Hulett Street fire
"Two people briefed on the matter" tell the Times Union that the feds have taken a man into custody related to the Hulett Street arson case in Schenectady and he's expected to be charged with perjury. [TU]

Schenectady fatal stabbing trial
The prosecutor in the trial of man accused of fatally stabbing James Jackson outside Yates Village in Schenectady in September 2015 said the incident started with a slap. [Daily Gazette]

Probation in Niskayuna High School thumb drive case
The former Niskayuna High School student arrested for images found on this computer during the investigation into a thumb drive found hidden in a book in the high school's library has been sentenced to probation and been granted youthful offender status. (Another student was accused of taking photos of female students without their consent -- and the drive's discovery prompted the addition of prohibitions on upskirting and voyeurism to the Niskayuna High School code of conduct.) [Daily Gazette x2]

Active shooter drill at Capitol
State Police say there will be an active shooter training drill inside the Capitol building from 7 am to 1:30 pm this Saturday. [NYSP]

Cuomo and Bridgegate
What, if anything, did Andrew Cuomo know about the "Bridgegate" scandal that primarily involved New Jersey governor Chris Christie's administration and the Port Authority. [Politico NY]

NY-20 debate
Among the topics discussed during a debate between Paul Tonko (incumbent D) and Joe Vitollo ( R) for the NY-19 Congressional District: Hillary Clinton's email, the SAFE Act, and economic development. [NYSNYS/TU]

State Assembly 113th
A profile of the matchup of Carrier Woerner (incumbent D) and Chris Boyark ( R) for the 113th state Assembly seat. [TU+]

Albany school plan
The Albany school board approved a plan to use the former New Covenant Charter School building on Lark Street as an interim location for its third middle school. [TU]

Regional economy
The new head of the Center for Economic Growth says the org is looking to start a campaign to attract companies in industries beyond chip making and high-tech industries. [Biz Review]

Colonie motels
Looking at the effects of the Colonie law change that now restricts some motels from having guests stay longer than 28 days. [TU+]

Onrust
The org that backs the Onrust, a replica 17th Dutch ship used for educational programs in the area, says it's in need of financial support, prompting concern the ship could depart much the way the Half Moon replica did last year. [TU]