All Over Albany

Guilty verdict in murder-for-hire trial, pedestrian identified in fatal crash, Schenectady fire leaves 5 homeless, body cameras for Schenectady police

Schenectady fire
An early morning house fire on Rugby Road in Schenectady has left five people homeless. [TU][WNYT]

Pedestrian in fatal crash identified
Police have identified the 61-year-old pedestrian who was killed in a Tuesday night crash at Swatling Road and Route 2 as Janet A. Nittoli, a New York City resident who moved upstate in the past few months and is believed to have been homeless. Police say there have been 36 crashes at that intersection in the last four years.[TU][Spectrum]

Guilty verdict in murder-for-hire trial
A jury found contractor Tarchand Lall guilty of hiring hit men to kill Charles Dembrosky in Schenectady two years ago. [Gazette][TU]

Deposition taken from terminally ill man in abuse case
Attorneys for a terminally ill man have obtained an emergency court order allowing them to take a sworn deposition from the man who says he was repeatedly raped as a young boy by a janitor in an Albany Catholic School, for use in a lawsuit. [TU]

Body cameras
Schenectady police will begin wearing body cameras in 2019. [Gazette]

Capital Region economy
New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows some Capital Region counties are growing faster than national average.[Gazette]

Legislative pay raises/outside income
Legislators recently got approval on a long awaited pay raise, but are expressing concerns about an attached caveat that limits their outside income.[TU]

Medical tattoo business
The Albany Board of Zoning Appeals ruled on Wednesday that a medical tattoo business that recently relocated from Guilderland to a home on New Scotland Avenue, is allowed to operate in the neighborhood, following a challenge from neighbors. [TU]

UPSEU Rensselaer County
Rensselaer County Legislators have approved a four year contract with United Public Service Employees Union, that inlcudes annual 1.75 percent raises. [TU]

Niskayuna teachers
Teachers in Niskayuna have been working without a contract for six months.
[Gazette]

Hikers rescued
Four hikers were rescued Tuesday night after getting lost in the Plotter Kill Preserve. [Gazette]

Cell towers
Chris Churchill looks at towers for mobile data service popping up in and around Albany without any warning for residents. [TU]

Clean Slate Program for low level marijuana offenders
David Soares held a public meeting on Wednesday to talk about a Clean Slate Program for people charged with low level marijuana offenses in Albany County. [TU][News 10]

Four Capital Region retailers preparing to close
Another local Kmart, a Peebles store, Big Lots, and a Sears will soon be out of business. [Spectrum]

Toll waiver on canal system
For the next three years recreational boaters can pass through locks on the state canal system for free. [Gazette]

Warming up the car
Police are warning people not to leave cars warming up unattended after a pair of vehicles were stolen while left to warm up. [TU]

Allegiant Air
Allegiant landed its first ultra-low-fare plane at Albany International Airport this week. [TU]

I now pronounce you...
NYS legislators may soon be able to officiate at weddings. [TU]

Stuff going on today

Edward Scissorhands
Thursday: The It Came From Schenectady series at Proctors is showing the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. Thursday 6:30 pm -- $9 / $6 students, seniors, kids

Stage

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Tuesday-Sunday: The Rep continues its production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, based on characters from Pride and Prejudice. "In this charmingly imagined sequel to Jane Austen's masterwork, the ever-dependable Mary Bennet is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings' romantic escapades. When the family visits for Christmas, an unexpected guest sparks Mary's hopes for independence, an intellectual match -- and possibly even love?" Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $22 and up

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Wednesday-Sunday: The Classic Theater Guild has a production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in The Addy at Proctors. Wednesday-Sunday various times -- $20 / $16 students, seniors, military

Arts and sciences

Marijuana: Justice, Equity, Reinvestment
Tuesday-Wednesday: An event called "Marijuana: Justice, Equity, Reinvestment" will be at the Albany Capital Center. It includes a series of talks, panels, and discussions related to marijuana legalization in New York State, and the opportunities that could present for economic development and social justice. Tuesday-Wednesday various times -- free (registration required)

Meltwater mayhem
Tuesday: The Brainfood for the Curious series of short lunchtime talks at the State Museum continues with a talk about the time when New York State was covered with an ice sheet -- and what happened when it melted. Tuesday 12:10-12:30 pm, Huxley Theater -- free

Front Parlor
Tuesday: The Front Parlor storytelling series is back at The Ale House in Troy. This month's theme: "Expectations." Tuesday 7:30 pm

Ice skating

The ice skating rink on the Empire State Plaza is now open for the season. The operating schedule is seven days a week (weather permitting) from noon-8 pm, closed daily from 3:30-4:30 pm for maintenance. It's free to skate. Skate rental is $4 for adults / $3 for kids 12 and under, and Saturday is free skate rental day.

Music

Monday: Breaking Benjamin + Five Finger Death Punch at TU Center
Hard rock. 6 pm -- $25 and up

Wednesday: Horseshoes & Hand Grenades at Caffe Lena
"Bluegrass mavericks." 7 pm -- $20

Thursday-Sunday: Melodies of Christmas at Proctors
Annual holiday concerts featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale. various times -- $25 and up

Thursday: Ghost at The Palace
Metal. 8 pm -- $39.50 and up

Thursday: Ballroom Thieves at Massry Center
Rescheduled show. With: Odetta Hartman. 8 pm -- $25

Thursday: Funk Night Xmas at Parish Public House
Hayley Jane (Hayley Jane and the Primates), Beau Sasser (Kung Fu), Chris DeAngelis (Kung Fu), Justin Henricks (Wurliday), Bryan Brundige (The Chronicles), Phil Chow (The Chronicles). 9 pm -- $10 ahead / $15 day of / $5 off with a toy for the toy drive

Thursday: Griffin House at Caffe Lena
Singer/songwriter. 7 pm -- $25

Thursday: Comedy Night + Paranoid Social Club at Putnam Place
Two comics + one band. 8 pm -- $15