All Over Albany

A new snowfall record, sentencing in Lansingburgh arson, Marquis Dixon could be released soon, Caffe Lena renovations nearing end

It snowed
The NWS Albany recorded 1.7 inches of snow at ALB Thursday, a record for the date (by .1 of an inch). Totals were higher in outer areas -- Porter Corners in Saratoga County recorded 3.5 inches. And the high of 36 degrees was the lowest max temp for the date on record. [NWS Albany x2]

Sentencing in Lansingburgh arson
The three people who pleaded guilty in the May 2015 Lansingburgh arson that led to the death of Grace Halpin were sentenced to 22 years, 20 years, and 2 1/3-7 years in prison. Halpin's daughter read her victim impact statement at each of the sentencings Thursday. [Troy Record] [TU]

Prominent Albany pastor arrested
Edward B. Smart -- pastor of First Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a prominent community leader in Albany -- and his wife, Marion, are facing felony charges related to $12,000 in social services benefits they're accused of taking by understating their income. (The Times Union reported earlier this week that Smart is the subject of "a multi-agency criminal investigation" looking into allegations he improperly took money from a non-profit.) [TU] [TU+] [WNYT]

Marquis Dixon appeal
After Thursday's state appellate court decision assigning him youthful offender status, Marquis Dixon -- the Albany teen sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing a pair of sneakers -- could soon be released from prison. The court changed his sentence to three 1-3 years in prison, and he's already served 31 months. The Albany County DA's office said it was "satisfied" with the appellate court decision. [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]

Rotterdam bank robbery
Rotterdam police say they're looking for the man who robbed the Pioneer Savings Bank on Altamont Ave with a note Thursday evening. [Daily Gazette]

Arrest following altercation at doctor's office
Albany police say a man was arrested at an eye doctor's office on Western Ave Tuesday after an altercation that injured three people -- but he was arrested on a federal warrant for charges unrelated to the doctor's office incident. [News10] [TU]

Schenectady budget
The Schenectady City Council is heading toward a vote Friday evening on a budget that includes a 4-percent property tax cut, slightly larger than the one proposed by mayor Gary McCarthy. This week's council discussions on the budget included closed-door caucus meetings by Democrats -- and the lone non-Democrat on the council, Vince Riggi, described the sessions as improper. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

State Assembly 113th
A look at the matchup between Carrie Woerner (incumbent D) and Christopher Boyark ( R) for the competitive 113th state Assembly district. [Daily Gazette]

Concern about Albany voting site
Some Albany voters say the move of their polling place to the UAlbany uptown campus has made voting harder and less accessible. [TU]

Anarchist cabals
Wendy Long, the Republican challenger to Chuck Schumer for the US Senate, alleges that Schumer (and Hillary Clinton) are "part of the globalist, corporate, anarchist cabal" working to "undermine American workers, wages and security." [TWCN]

Light-sensitive
A person rejected by Regeneron for a job at the company's East Greenbush factory alleges in a lawsuit that the company violated protections against people with disabilities during the hiring process because staff reacted negatively to the hood she was wearing -- she says she has a condition that makes her extremely sensitive to light. [TU]

Caffe Lena
Caffe Lean's executive directors say the venue's renovated space should be in operation by December. [Saratogian]