All Over Albany

Voorheesville fire considered suspicious, former Walmart employee who received public support pleads guilty to bank robberies, TU to electors: reject Trump

Voorheesville fire
A Voorheesville home was destroyed in an early morning fire.. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says the blaze is being investigated as suspicious. [News 10][TU]

Hoosick Falls
The Hoosick Falls Village Board has apparently reached an undisclosed draft of a settlement with Saint Gobain and Honeywell over PFOAs released into the village water system, but the board is holding off on a vote until January, and the terms of the draft are being kept under wraps. [TU+]

Fired Walmart Worker pleads guilty
An ex-convict and former Walmart employee that received public support when he was fired for redeeming $2 worth of cans has pleaded guilty to first degree robbery in connection with four local bank heists. [TU]

Sentencing in Gause murder
Kasheef James, was sentenced to 20 to 30 years in state prison on manslaughter chargesin connection with the shooting death of LaSean Gause. [Gazette]

Hope house employee charged
An investigation by the state Justice Center has resulted in a third-degree rape charge for a Hope House employee accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl in his care. [TU]

Railway employee injured
A 22-year-old Pan Am Railways employee lost an arm when he slipped on ice while working on tracks. [News10]

Albany firefighters contract
Albany's firefighters will get a 2 percent raise in 2016 and then two smaller raises next year under a new contract announced on Wednesday. [TU]

Saratoga County budget
Saratoga County Supervisors adopted a 297.6 million 2017 budget on Wednesday that comes with an estimated 1.8 percent tax hike for homeowners. [TU]

Schneiderman/Trump
Eric Schneiderman is one of a handful of attorneys general that have committed to keeping tabs on Donald Trump by using lawsuits to fight policies that may be unconstitutional. [NYT]

TU to electors: reject Trump
The Times Union is calling on the Electoral College to reject Donald Trump.

DOT signs
Efforts are underway to work out a compromise on the tourism signs along NYS highways that the Federal Highway Administration contends are in violation of federal laws. [Gazette]

First prize Center
A local developer will announce plans today to turn the First Prize Center on Exchange Street in Albany into a residential, shopping and entertainment community. [TU]

Sanders supports Momentive employees
At a time when there are so many efforts to divide working people from one another, you are an inspiration." -- Bernie Sanders in a statement of support for the striking employees of Momentive.[TU+]

Saratoga charter
Voters in Saratoga Springs may see a proposal for a new city charter on the ballot by the spring of 2017. [Saratogian]

Refugee mentor dead at 54
Friends and family are mourning the loss of Neal Andrews, a 54-year-old mentor who founded and ran a program to bring refugee children to summer camps.
[TU+]

30 years of service
Reminiscences on a 30 year career from the outgoing commander of State Police Troop G.[TU]

Stuff going on today

Camelot

Today-Sunday: Capital Rep continues its production of Camelot. Blurbage:

The four-time Tony® Award-winning musical, with one of the richest scores of the Broadway song book, tells the story of the legendary King Arthur, who rules his kingdom with new ideals, bringing peace to a troubled land. This lusty, romantic tale is sure to inspire audiences with a celebrated score that includes the classics "If Ever I Would Leave You," "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood," "How to Handle a Woman" and the title song, "Camelot."

It runs through December 24. Tuesday-Wednesday -- $25 and up

Cherish the Ladies
Cherish the Ladies "Celtic Christmas" at Troy Music Hall
"In their Celtic Christmas program, the Ladies put their signature mark on classic carols such as 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Silent Night,' in arrangements that highlight the group's unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies, and spectacular step dancing." 7:30 pm -- $29 and up

Melodies of Christmas
Melodies of Christmas at Proctors
Annual holiday concerts featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale. various times -- $15 and up

Colony House
Colony House at Vapor
Alt rock. With: Girl Blue, One Red Martian. (Free because of EQX.) 7 pm -- free

Session Americana
Session Americana at Caffe Lena at Saratoga Arts
"Session Americana is a Boston-based rock band in a tea cup, or possibly a folk band in a whiskey bottle." 7 pm -- $20