All Over Albany

Schenectady budget narrowly passes, persons of interest questioned in gun shop robbery, Cuomo signs e-cigarette ban, no clowns on campus

Schenectady budget
The Schenectady City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday to pass an $85.2 million budget that contains a 1 percent tax cut. [Gazette][TU]

Foam spill
Damage from a foam spill due to a fire suppressions malfunction a Commutair hanger at Albany International Airport could cost millions of dollars. [TU]

Gun shop robbery investigation
Police are looking for three suspects in the robbery of a Glenville gun shop earlier this week. Officials says they are interviewing several persons of interest in the case. [News 10][Gazette]

E-cigarette ban
Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on Tuesday, banning electronic cigarettes from all places where tobacco smoking is prohibited. [Spectrum]

Suspicious fires in Troy
Troy investigators say a house fire in Lansingburgh on Sunday may be connected to other suspicious fires in the city, dating back to May.[WNYT]

Civil confinement sought for kidnapper
New York State is seeking civil confinement for a soon to be released inmate who tried to kidnap a runner from he Saratoga High School Parking lot in 2005. [WNYT]

Colonie landfill
Riverkeeper has joined Waterford and Halfmoon to oppose the proposed expansion of the Colonie landfill, which could reach the state's legal dumping limit by April. [TU]

Arsenal gets $41.7 million from Army
The U.S. Army is investing $41.7 million into the Watervliet Arsenal. [Record]

Absentee ballot spike in Albany raises concern
The high number of absentee ballots in some Albany wards during the recent primary elections has raised concerns about campaigns targeting people who don't typically vote, and encouraging them to vote absentee without a valid reason. [TU]

Raise the age
The organization necessary to implement the new Raise the Age laws. [Spectrum]

Report on tick-borne illness
The New York State Senate released a new report this week aimed at combating tick-borne illnesses, and recommends a state protocol for informing patients of their diagnosis. [News 10]

Time off to vote
A reminder that NYS law says you have to notify your employer if you're taking time off from work to vote. [TU]

Record high
Record high temperatures of 75 degrees in Albany and 74 in Glens falls were set on Tuesday. [Gazette]

No clowns allowed
Shenendahowa Middle School is banning clown costumes on school grounds. [News 10]

Stuff going on today

Silent Film Spectacular
Wednesday: The Albany Public Library's Silent Film Spectacular series continues at the Washington Ave branch with a screening of three silent short films with live score by Scum Couch. Wednesday 7 pm -- free

Film Columbia

Today-Sunday: The Film Columbia film festival continues in Chatham. The schedule includes a bunch of films that are already getting attention because of screenings at other festivals and/or they're eagerly awaited because of stars or directors involved. One change to the previously-announced schedule: The Current War has been swapped out for I, Tonya, the new film about Tonya Harding starring Margot Robbie. Tuesday-Sunday various times and prices

Mexican desserts
Wednesday: Different Drummer's Kitchen has a hands-on class led by Deanna Fox about making Mexican desserts: churros, wedding cookies, flan, spicy hot chocolate. Wednesday 6 pm -- $65

Music

Wednesday: The 107.7 GNA's Secret Star Acoustic Jam at Proctors is sold out.

Wednesday: Rickie Lee Jones at Cohoes Music Hall
Two-time Grammy winner. 8 pm -- $47 and up

Wednesday: Peter Rowan at The Hangar
Bluegrass. 8 pm -- $25