All Over Albany

Madison Ave houses demolished after fire, Troy fires ruled arson, 2nd confirmed case of tick borne Powassan in Saratoga County

Madison Avenue fire
Four historic row houses on Madison Avenue in Albany were demolished on Tuesday after being destroyed by fire on Monday night. More than a dozen people were displaced by the blaze, but everyone made it out alive. Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire, but they don't believe it's suspicious. One good bit of news, a dog believed lost in the fire was found and returned to its owner on Tuesday. [TU][Spectrum][WNYT][News 10]

Troy fires
Fire officials on Tuesday have tabled a rash of recent fires in unoccupied Lansingburgh homes as suspicious. [Spectrum][Record]

Powassan virus
The State Health Department has confirmed a second case of the tick borne Powassan virus in Saratoga county and there is a probable third case being investigated . Kirsten Gillibrand announced the formation of a tick born disease work group to help study and prevent tick borne illnesses. [Gazette][TU] [Spectrum]

Troy movie theater
In a public comment period on Tuesday, Troy residents criticized the Bow Tie Cinema plans for movie theaters at 1 Monument square for its "suburban big box" look.

SUNY Poly planned manufacturing center
The TU writes that the interim President of SUNY Poly told faculty about a "tactical plan" to save the institution, which would combine labs in Albany and Utica to create an advanced manufacturing center paid for by the state. [TU]

Campaign $
Campaign filings show Andrew Cuomo has raised more than $5.1 million in the last six months over the past six months and has about $25.7 million in his campaign account. [TU]

Sewage in Hudson
Heavy rains on Monday resulted in millions of gallons of untreated sewage being released into the Hudson. [TU]

Fuel spill
Firefighters cleaned up a fuel spill at the port of Albany on Tuesday after about 140 gallons of fuel leaked from a rusted tank . [TU]

Rail worker sues for lost arm
A Schenectady rail worker is suing his employer, Pan Am Railways, over the incident that led to his arm amputation in December. [Gazette]

Geyser Road Trail
Two companies are offering land for free to move the controversial Geyser Road bike trail in Saratoga, in an effort to make it safer. [Saratogian]

Purple heart
Schenectady unveiled Purple Heart parking spaces on Tuesday that will be reserved for people injured in combat. [News 10]

Stuff going on today

Saratoga County Fair

County fair season starts with the Saratoga County Fair at the fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. This is the 176th year for the fair. Admission is $12 / season ticket is $40 / shorter than 52 inches is free / active military free with ID card / unlimited ride wristband is $20

Stage

Capital Rep
Tuesday-Sunday: Capital Rep continues its production of Mamma Mia!. Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $20 and up

Park Playhouse
Tuesday-Saturday: Park Playhouse continues its production of Ragtime at the Washington Park lake house. Tuesday-Saturday 8 pm -- free lawn seating is unreserved / reserved seats available starting at $16

WTF
The Williamstown Theatre Festival continues the productions of Where Storms Are Born and opens a production of The Clean House. Tuesday-Sunday various times - various prices

NYS Writers Institute

Monday-Friday: The NYS Summer Writers Institute continues it series of public author readings at Skidmore. This week's schedule:

Poet Charles Simic (The Lunatic: Poems, Hotel Insomnia) and Novelist-Poet Victoria Redel (Loverboy, The Border Of Truth)

Free summer concert series

At The Plaza
Wednesday: The Summer at the Plaza series of events at the ESP continues with Soul Asylum and Cracker. Wednesday 5 pm -- free admission

Rockin' on the River
Wednesday: The Rockin' on the River series in Troy's Riverfront Park has Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience with Kristen Capolino. Wednesday 5 pm -- free admission

Made in the Shade
Wednesday: The Made in the Shade series of lunchtime shows outside The Egg has Joe Louis Walker. Wednesday at noon -- free admission

Music

Wednesday: Straight No Chaser + Postmodern Jukebox at SPAC
A cappella and reimagined covers. A pavilion-only show. 7:30 pm -- $29.95 and up

Wednesday: Born of Osiris at Upstate Concert Hall
Deathcore. With: Volumns, Betraying the Martyrs, Widowmaker. 7:30 pm -- $18 ahead / $20 day of