All Over Albany

Proposed Albany County budget contains no tax increase, Cuomo threatens special session to deal with flooding, bear sightings in Guilderland

Albany County budget
Dan McCoy presented a $678.6 million proposed Albany County budget on Tuesday that contains no tax increase for homeowners and 2 percent rises for all union and non-union employees. [TU]

Cuomo threatens special session
Andrew Cuomo has suggested he may call a special session of the legislature to provide additional flood relief for areas along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawerence River. [TU]

Victim identified in West Hill Shooting
Police say the man gunned down early Sunday afternoon near Lexington Avenue and Sherman Street in Albany was 27-year-old James Hines of Troy. [TU]

Bank robbery
Albany police have released a photo of the suspect who robbed the South Pearl Street Key Bank early Tuesday morning. [TU]

"The law without compassion isn't just"
Sentencing a Guatemala family to time served for illegally living in the United States for 15 years, a judge in Schenectady said, "The law without compassion isn't just." The family claimed to be from El Salvador, to gain a special protected status in the U.S. One of the women in the case told the judge, "I want to apologize for what I did -- but I feared for the future of my kids." [Gazette][TU]

Bear sighting in Guilderland
Guilderland residents are being asked to take precautions after a black bear was spotted in several areas in the town. [News 10]

Niskayuna anthem protest
In the wake of recent protests over the national anthem at Niskayuna football games, the Niskayuna Board of education issued a statement on Tuesday saying they stand behind the superintendent's decision not to play the National Anthem at a pep rally, and saying different views should be respected. Some parents in the district say they don't agree. [WNYT][TU][Spectrum]

Shen land deal
The Shenendahowa Board of education has approved the $1.1 million sale of a controversial 34-acre parcel of land to the town of Clifton Park, but a December 5 voter referendum is still necessary for final approval. [Gazette]

Race for Rensselaer mayor
A look at the race for Mayor of Rensselaer between three term incumbent Dan Dwyer and first time candidate Jim Konstantakis.[TU]

The cost of local bridge repair
According to a report from the NYS Comptroller's office, $27.4 billion in repairs are needed on bridges owned by local governments in the state. [Gazette]

The worst is over on Erie
Road repairs and renovations that have caused problems for commuters on Erie Blvd are in the final phase. [Gazette]

Delaware Avenue road diet
A new report shows a full "road diet" will improve safety along a busy 1.3 mile stretch of Delaware Avenue in Bethlehem. [TU]

Firefighters honored
The names of 112 New York City firefighters who died of 9/11 related illnesses were added the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial on Tuesday. [NYT]

"It's like all those years in between just went away."
Best friends, reunited after 70 years. [TU]

To boldly go to Ticonderoga
William Shatner will be heading to Ticonderoga to visit Trekonderoga, the reproduced set of the original Enterprise. [TU]

Stuff going on today

Stage

The Color Purple
Tuesday-Saturday: The touring production of the Tony-winning Broadway musical version of The Color Purple continues at Proctors. Tuesday-Saturday various times -- $20 and up

Sex With Strangers
Tuesday-Sunday: Capital Rep continues its production, Sex With Strangers. The production runs through October 15. Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $20 and up

Arts and sciences

Skylar Kergil
Wednesday: Transgender activist -- and Skidmore alum -- Skylar Kergil will be at Skidmore for a talk about his work. "His [Youtube] videos, which offer an honest and thorough look at the process of gender transition, have educated, uplifted, and inspired thousands." Wednesday 7 pm, Palamountain Hall -- free

Startup Tech Valley

Wednesday: The Startup Tech Valley series makes its way to Saratoga Springs this month for a night of presentations at The National Museum of Horse Racing & Hall of Fame. A handful of startup companies -- ranging from agriculture to tech -- will be giving short talks about what they have going on. Wednesday 5:30 pm -- free

Music

Wednesday: Atlas Genius at Lucky Strike
Alt rock. With: Magic Giant, Half The Animal. 7 pm -- $20 ahead / $25 day of

Wednesday: Joan Shelley at The Linda
Folk, live broadcast. With: James Elkington. 8 pm -- $15

Wednesday: Wesley Stace's Cabinet of Wonders at Helsinki Hudson
Charles Bock, Tracy Bonham, Juliana Hatfield, Dave Hill, Daniel Mendelsohn, Stephin Merritt, Suzzy Roche. 8 pm -- $50 and up

Wednesday: Tommy Castro & the Painkillers at The Upper Room
Blues rock guitarist. 7 pm -- $25 and up