Trooper remembered for helping people, not-guilty plea in Lake George boating fatality, man survives fall from Dunn Memorial Bridge, Cuomo supports upstate ride sharing
Trooper Pratt remembered
Funeral arrangements are underway for NYS Trooper Timothy Pratt, who was killed early Wednesday when he was hit by a car while investigating why a tractor trailer was parked in a median in Wilton. Flags were lowered to half mast around the state and Pratt's Body was returned to South Glens Falls from Albany Med on Wednesday evening in a procession up the Northway. No tickets are expected to be issued in the incident. A colleague remembered Pratt on Wednesday, saying "He died the way he lived, helping people." [WNYT][Saratogian][TWCN][Gazette]
Not guilty plea in fatal boating incident
The driver of the boat that crashed into another boat on Lake George over the summer, killing a 7-year-old girl, pled not-guilty to a dozen charges on Wednesday, including manslaughter, assault and criminally negligent homicide and boating while impaired by drugs and alcohol. The judge in the case increased Alexander West's bail from $100 thousand to $300 thousand , but West's attorney expected he would make bail by the end of the week. [TU][Gazette]
Worker rescued from building collapse
A worker was rescued from a Colonie home on Wednesday when the home's foundation gave way trapping him in the building. [TU]
Man falls from Dunn Memorial Bridge
Police are investigating the circumstances that led to a 19-year-old man's fall from the low end of the Dun Memorial Bridge in Rensselaer on Wednesday night. Police say the man survived the fall with some injuries. [TU][WNYT]
Father sentenced in death of infant
A 25-year-old Warren County man will spend 25 years in jail for the murder of his three week old daughter. [WNYT]
Rapist sentenced
An Albany man will spend 26 years in jail for raping a teen girl and watching another teen in the shower. [TU]
Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons fire
Police say they have several suspects in connection with last week's fire that caused about $70 thousand in damage to the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons field house. [TU]
Militia member being held for threats
Following an FBI investigation stretching back to 2015, an Earlton man who repeated boasted about his ability to kill dozens of people and attack federal buildings is being held in the Rensselaer County jail for a charge of unlawful possession of a rifle by a felon. [TU]
Cuomo on upstate ride sharing
Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that he supports ride sharing in upstate NY. [TU]
Senate Republicans fight to keep control
NYS Republican efforts to keep control of the Senate. [TWCN]
Northway Church expansion
After months of debate and controversy, Pastor Buddy Cremean's Northway Church has been approved for a 40,000-square-foot church on a 6.8-acre lot in Clifton Park.
Troy water main
A water main break in Troy has temporarily closed school no. 12.
[TU]
43rd Senate District
Candidates for the 43rd Senate District on Hoosick Falls, Campaign Finance and the SAFE Act. [TU]
Recall
Stewart's is recalling the 20 oz size of its Sportade Fruit Punch Isotonic Beverage because i may contain undeclared milk. [Gazette]
The Trump phenomenon
Skidmore professors examined the phenomenon of Donald Trump on Wednesday. [Gazette]
Excelsior College president
Excelsior College has hired interim president James Baldwin as its permanent president. [TU]
Age friendly
Albany County has been selected to join the WHO's Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities.[TU]
Stuff going on today
Barry Bostwick's Rocky Horror Film Screening Party
Thursday: Proctors will be hosting
Hypercube
Thursday: Charles Atlas will be presenting "a program of films that were influential in the development of his work-in-progress 3D video and performance work, Tesseract, which will be premiered at EMPAC in January 2017 in collaboration with choreographers Rashaun Mitchell and Silas Riener." Thursday
Punk Rock Sketch and Sip
Monday: The Punk Rock Sketch and Sip series is back at The Low Beat. "A different kind of art event. Learn or practice drawing with live, alternative figure models with local artist and educator, Robert B. Eaton. Enjoy a complimentary drink while you sketch. All skill levels welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own materials, but limited materials will be provided to get you started." Monday 7 pm -- $15 / $8 students with valid ID
Boo!
Haunted History Pub Crawl
Tuesday and Thursday: The Albany County Historical Association and Historic Albany Foundation are hosting ghost hunt tours of the Ten Broeck Mansion followed by a ghost story pub crawl in downtown Albany. Tuesday and Thursday various times -- $25
Twilight Cemetery Tour
Wednesday: The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has a twilight tour of Greenridge Cemetery. "Volunteer docent Jan Klassovity will navigate the tombs and monuments of Greenridge Cemetery, discussing the historical and architectural background of the American rural cemetery movement while unearthing tales of Saratoga's most notable residents." Wednesday 5 pm -- $10
This is Not a Test
Wednesday: Marquise Productions, the contemporary circus company based in Troy, is presenting a one-person clown show at Revolution Hall called This is Not a Test:
A mix between theater and a French-style of clowning, "This is Not a Test" is about an isolated clown who finds shelter in a desolate theater. With only inanimate objects as his friends, he attempts to live out the end of times, trapped between the music of yesterday and the disaster of tomorrow.
The show stars Aaron Marquise, a graduate of the National Circus School in Montreal. Wednesday 7:30 pm -- $12
Arts and sciences
Majora Carter
Urban revitalization strategist Majora Carter will be the keynote speaker at the first Troy Small Business Summit at the Tech Valley Center of Gravity, an event organized by the city of Troy and Troy Local Development Corporation. Thursday 1-4:30 pm -- free (registration required)
Maya Lin
Artist Maya Lin will be at Union to talk about her work. Lin is most famous for her design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Thursday 5 pm, Nott Memorial -- free
Meg Wolitzer
Novelist Meg Wolitzer will be at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs for an event organized by Northshire Bookstore. She's author of novels such as The Interestings and The Uncoupling. The event is a benefit for Universal Preservation Hall and Yaddo. Thursday 7:30 pm -- $17.50
Carrie Underwood at TU Center
With: Easton Corbin,The Swon Brothers. 7 pm -- $46 and up
Chris Smither at Caffe Lena at Saratoga Arts Center
Folk. 7 pm -- $28
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?